After concluding the discussions about establishing relations with Japan, Hyang moved on to the next topic.
“I hear students from Europe are coming?”
“Yes, Your Majesty. The first group of fifty students is scheduled to arrive next spring. By current estimates, we expect similar numbers to arrive steadily each year.”
In response to the report from Kim Ha, the new Minister of Education who succeeded Lee Sachul, Hyang stroked his chin and spoke.
“I hope many capable individuals come. The research institute is severely understaffed.”
His words clearly hinted at the students’ future prospects.
That night, sitting alone in Gangnyeongjeon Palace, Hyang muttered while leafing through research institute reports and challenge record catalogs.
“Hmm… The professors have finally reached a usable level, so it would be a shame not to put them to work. What should we try?”
While he was browsing through various catalogs, a eunuch entered and whispered something to the Chief Royal Secretary.
“I understand.”
The Chief Royal Secretary nodded as he received the eunuch’s message, then dismissed him before approaching Hyang and bowing deeply.
“Your Majesty, Her Majesty the Empress inquires whether you will again retire alone in Gangnyeongjeon tonight.”
At the Chief Royal Secretary’s words, Hyang glanced at the calendar before responding.
“Tell them I shall sleep in the Empress’s quarters tonight, so all should remain there.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
After the Chief Royal Secretary left the room upon hearing Hyang’s answer, Hyang sighed and grumbled.
“Haah~ This isn’t how family should be… My back is already… Now where did I put that medicine…”
Hyang searched for his tonic while opening a drawer in the nearby cabinet.
A few days later, Hyang visited the research institute.
Beginning with Wan, who had rushed over from Area 51 upon hearing the news, all the institute’s researchers gathered in the auditorium as Hyang took the stage.
“Have you all been well?”
“By Your Majesty’s grace, we have been healthy and prosperous!”
Hyang smiled slightly at the researchers’ response and continued.
“I hear you’ve gained some breathing room now that distinguished scholars from Europe have joined the research efforts.”
At Hyang’s words, everyone gathered in the auditorium turned pale.
Damn it! Just when we thought we could catch a break!
Of course! His Majesty isn’t one to let things slide!
What torture is he planning to inflict on us this time!
While the researchers were screaming silently, Hyang held up two sheets of imperial yellow paper.
“As you can see, these two sheets are identical in size and weight. When I drop them, they should fall at the same rate, correct?”
Wan answered as representative:
“Naturally, Your Majesty, would they not?”
At Wan’s response, Hyang dropped both papers and looked at him.
“Indeed. Then…”
Hyang crumpled one of the sheets into a ball and looked at Wan.
“What about now?”
“Well, of course…”
Wan hastily stopped mid-sentence.
Stop! Father would never ask about something obvious! This is a trap!
Wan quickly changed his response:
“Are you suggesting there will be a different result, Your Majesty?”
In response to Wan’s question, Hyang silently released both papers. Wan observed the result and looked at Hyang.
“The crumpled paper fell first, Your Majesty.”
“Why might that be? And…”
Hyang paused briefly and gestured to a eunuch. At his signal, the eunuchs brought water tanks, a balance scale, a small metal ball, and a thin metal plate.
“As you can see on the balance scale, this metal ball and plate have the same weight. However…”
Hyang dropped both the ball and plate into the water tank simultaneously.
“Though the difference is much smaller than with the paper, the metal ball was slightly faster, wasn’t it?”
“Indeed, Your Majesty.”
At Wan’s response, Hyang issued a brief command.
“Find out why this occurs.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“Additionally, we typically say heavier objects fall first, but these results suggest otherwise. Verify that aspect as well.”
“…Yes, Your Majesty.”
Seeing Wan’s crestfallen expression, Hyang issued his final order.
“Determine the challenge record grade and report back as quickly as possible.”
“We shall comply with your command.”
Having thus saddled Wan and the researchers with a massive headache, Hyang departed the research institute with a spring in his step.
My apologies, Mr. Galileo! Since we’re already speeding things up, I pushed it a bit further! Come study in the Empire later!
After being handed this headache by Hyang, Wan turned to look at the researchers.
“Whew~”
As he sighed heavily while watching the researchers desperately avoiding his gaze, Wan noticed some individuals with excited expressions and gleaming eyes in one corner.
They were the European professors who had just joined the research institute after passing the advanced course.
Seeing their expressions, Wan asked them:
“Would you like to research this?”
“If you would entrust us with it, we shall give our utmost effort!”
“Please assign it to us!”
The professors responded with enthusiasm. This was partly due to intellectual curiosity, but pride was also a factor.
I was a renowned professor in Europe! Work under others in research? I cannot accept that!
Regardless of their inner thoughts, Wan immediately made his decision upon seeing their eager responses.
“I shall assign it to you as soon as the challenge record grade assessment is complete. I look forward to working with you.”
“We shall do our very best!”
A few days later, when the professors checked the challenge record grade, they tilted their heads in confusion.
“Supreme Upper grade’s ‘Moving Mountains’?”
“Isn’t that rated too difficult?”
However, within three days, the professors were pulling their hair and screaming.
“It was a trap!”
“What an impossible problem!”
Hearing the professors’ distant screams, Wan and the other researchers shook their heads and clicked their tongues.
“Tsk tsk tsk… They really don’t know His Majesty…”
“They’ve dug their own graves…”
Early winter of Imperial Year 3.
As the Han River’s waters began to freeze, people gathered again along its banks.
They had come to witness the test flight of the self-powered flying vessel created through the combined efforts of Wan and the young craftsmen.
Upon receiving word and arriving, Hyang carefully examined the vessel’s interior, particularly its engine section.
“The size has been reduced significantly?”
Wan nodded at Hyang’s observation and responded:
“Yes, Your Majesty. We were able to reduce the size by incorporating Director-General Jang Yeong-sil’s multi-blade propulsor design.” -He had been promoted to oversee all production departments in Areas 51 and 52.-
“It must have been challenging?”
“Director-General Jang’s assistance was invaluable.”
At Wan’s words, Hyang’s expression filled with regret as he muttered internally:
If only the situation hadn’t forced our hand, we could have kept him longer…
Less than a month after Jang Yeong-sil’s arrival, Sejong had sent endless demands to return him to the New Frontier.
-We’re already desperately short-staffed, so why won’t you send him back! Argh! Should I come myself?
Under Sejong’s pressure, Hyang had no choice but to send Jang Yeong-sil back.
Though regretful, Hyang’s eyes sparkled as he began examining various parts of the vessel.
“Oh? You’ve separated the chimney?”
“Yes, Your Majesty. We removed it because there was a risk of the gas chambers catching fire if sparks entered with the smoke. Instead, we installed air heating pipes alongside the water pipes in the heating furnace.”
“Fascinating. Well done.”
Hyang continued asking questions while thoroughly inspecting the vessel, and Wan answered without hesitation.
As is known, Hyang had been a devoted steampunk fan since the 21st century, and the vessel Wan had created perfectly targeted his interests.
Finally, during the test flight that followed, Wan’s self-powered flying vessel demonstrated its capabilities.
As the vessel floated gently skyward, the propellers mounted on both sides of the passenger compartment began spinning rapidly, allowing it to gradually build speed and move.
“Hmm… It seems noticeably faster than the glider I made previously?”
To Hyang’s question, Wan responded confidently:
“Even if smaller, surely a steam engine is more powerful than human strength, Your Majesty?”
“True enough. So how far can it travel?”
“We’ll need more tests to determine that, Your Majesty. However, we estimate it could travel at least 400 li (approximately 160 kilometers) round trip if we maintain reasonable cargo loads without overloading the passenger compartment.”
“Is that so? Well done. Now think about how to utilize this as a means of transportation!”
“Yes, Your Majesty!”
Wan responded with a bright expression to Hyang’s words. What Hyang had just said meant the self-powered flying vessel had passed inspection.
While the self-powered flying vessel was becoming the talk of not only Seoul but the entire empire, the military was also showing interest.
Lee Jing-ok, who had risen to the military’s highest position replacing Choi Yoon-deok and Lee Chun who had retired due to severe fatigue, placed a report documenting everything about the self-powered flying vessel in the center as he discussed it with other generals.
“If we load this vessel with flying thunder bombs and drop them on the enemy from above, it could have tremendous effect!”
“Moreover, since this vessel can travel far under its own power, it’s even more advantageous for reconnaissance than existing vessels! If it can go ahead of our forces, travel further, observe, and return with information, our forces would gain an enormous advantage!”
The military generals who had witnessed the flying vessel’s flight were all raising their voices in favor of its adoption.
Nodding at the generals’ words, Lee Jing-ok reached a conclusion:
“All the generals’ opinions are valid. I shall discuss this with the Minister of Defense and submit a petition to His Majesty.”
Min Sin immediately nodded upon hearing the military’s opinion.
“I had been thinking about military applications myself. Since the Chief of Staff shares this view, let’s prepare a proposal for His Majesty soon.”
“Yes, sir. But will the Ministry of Finance remain quiet about this?”
“Those fellows know when to spend money when necessary, so we should trust them.”
However, there was no confidence in Min Sin’s voice as he answered.
Contrary to their concerns, the proposal they submitted was approved surprisingly easily.
“The existing methods are far too inefficient for properly monitoring the empire’s expanding territories. The self-powered flying vessel is absolutely necessary. It can fly over vast distances for surveillance.”
Hyang had approved its adoption with these words.
On the day Hyang’s decision came down, high-ranking military officials and generals gathered at Seoul’s entertainment district for a drinking celebration.
“Long live His Imperial Majesty!”
Not long after the adoption of the self-powered flying vessel was decided, in the late winter of Imperial Year 3.
Lee Jing-ok wore a troubled expression as he reviewed a proposal submitted by the navy.
“This seems a bit excessive…”
“It’s absolutely necessary for securing naval supremacy!”
The naval generals desperately emphasized its necessity. Eventually, Lee Jing-ok and Min Sin submitted the navy’s proposal to Hyang.
The blueprints submitted with the navy’s proposal showed a new type of naval vessel.
- Powered solely by steam engine.
- Flat deck unified from bow to stern.
- Houses self-powered flying vessels in internal hangars, launching them from the deck for reconnaissance when needed.
Upon seeing the navy’s proposal, Hyang wore an expression of disbelief as he muttered internally:
Why is an aircraft carrier showing up here?
The contents and blueprints in the proposal exactly matched the operational purpose and form of early aircraft carriers. The only difference was that it would use flying vessels instead of aircraft.