“What do you mean I cannot go because of my dream?”

Jinpyeong looked at Hyang with an expression showing complete incomprehension. Staring back at Jinpyeong, Hyang instead asked:

“Do you truly not know?”

“Your subject truly does not know.”

“Truly?”

“I truly do not know.”

Seeing Jinpyeong’s genuinely confused expression, Hyang exhaled a small sigh and explained.

“Sigh~ That dream of yours. Your dream of laying railways across the world and running iron horses on them. That dream itself isn’t bad. But your temperament is the problem.”

“My temperament?”

“Because you’re the type who would ignore moderate losses, no, even greater losses, to achieve that great endeavor. The railway to be built in the Suez region will bring enormous national benefit to the Empire. However, you would focus solely on railway construction while ignoring the Empire’s interests. That’s why I cannot send you.”

At Hyang’s words, Jinpyeong raised his voice.

“Your subject also knows how important the Empire’s interests are! And…”

As Jinpyeong tried to continue, Hyang raised his hand to stop him.

“Enough. The moment you used ‘and,’ you revealed your own lack of qualification for this task.”

“Ah…”

At Hyang’s words, Jinpyeong lowered his head. Seeing Jinpyeong’s demeanor, Hyang continued.

“This negotiation is like dogs fighting in a muddy field[1]. In the worst case, one must negotiate ready to overturn the entire table just to protect minimal national interests. You are too soft in this regard. No, your vessel is too large.”

At Hyang’s words, Jinpyeong raised his head.

“My vessel is too large?”

To Jinpyeong’s question, Hyang nodded with a small smile.

“Indeed. The very fact that you dream of ‘laying railways across the world’ is something impossible for an ordinary person. I well know how difficult and dangerous railway construction is, and that’s why I trust in your steadfast pursuit of that goal. It’s just that negotiation is a garment that doesn’t suit your temperament.”

At Hyang’s words, Jinpyeong bowed his head and answered.

“Your subject Duke Yi Yu of Jinpyeong will devote his life to railway construction to live up to Your Majesty’s expectations!”

“For that, I am grateful. Ah! And, Wa Country[2] has also requested to build railways. Select personnel to investigate the possibility in Wa Country as well.”

“I receive your command!”

After this storm had passed and Jinpyeong left Injeongjeon Hall, Hyang placed his hand on his forehead with a bitter smile.

“Hah! It’s tiring to coax and persuade. That fellow is still like a child despite his age…”

At Hyang’s complaint, Kim Jeom and other ministers who had witnessed everything shared similar smiles.

After briefly cooling his head with his hand on his forehead, Hyang muttered internally:

‘I received Master Samcheonpo’s help again this time.’

-Why say such things? After Sejo ascended to the throne, he was endlessly merciful due to being mindful of the meritorious subjects. Was it really because he was cowed by the meritorious subjects’ momentum and tried to appease them? Would someone who was that mindful of others step forward to crack the skulls of Kim Jong-seo, Hwangbo In, and Prince Anpyeong? In my personal opinion, Sejo’s mind was like a ‘satiated lion’ at the time. He had obtained the throne he wanted, and all of Joseon had become his, hadn’t it? That’s why he generously overlooked the meritorious subjects’ tyranny. Besides, those meritorious subjects wouldn’t live forever, would they? If things became too excessive, he could purge them at an appropriate time. And it didn’t necessarily have to be during his reign. The same applied to Ming. Once he could maintain his throne and control Joseon, everything else became ‘I don’t care.’

***

After briefly recalling Master Samcheonpo’s memories, Hyang composed his expression and moved on.

“So, who do you think would be suitable to go to Suez for negotiations?”

At Hyang’s question, Kim Jeom bowed his head and asked in return:

“Do you perhaps have someone in mind?”

To Kim Jeom’s question, Hyang answered with a mischievous expression:

“I think the Prime Minister would be the best choice?”

At Hyang’s words, Kim Jeom momentarily turned pale and stammered:

“Y-Your Majesty’s high regard for your subject leaves me at a loss. H-However, your subject is now too old…”

“That’s why we excluded the Prime Minister.”

“Sigh~ Heup!”

Just as Hyang finished speaking, Kim Jeom let out a long sigh of relief, but instantly realizing his mistake, he quickly looked around.

Observing Kim Jeom’s expression, Hyang mentioned the person he had in mind.

“In our opinion, Minister of General Affairs Lord Jeoljae would be suitable.”

“Heup!”

Startled by Hyang’s designation, Kim Jong-seo urgently asked:

“D-Do you mean your subject?”

“Are there other Lord Jeoljaes here besides you?”

“Y-Your subject is also old and frail, lacking confidence to properly carry out such an important task Your Majesty entrusts.”

“With your ability, it’s certainly possible.”

“With many young and capable talents like the Chief Secretary, how about them?”

Seeing Kim Jong-seo’s persistent refusal, Hyang slightly creased his expression and clicked his tongue.

“Tsk!”

The moment Hyang clicked his tongue, Injeongjeon Hall froze.

‘Ow! That tongue-clicking sound!’

‘Even in dreams, that sound immediately brings on sleep paralysis!’

‘How can father and son be so alike!’

Tensed by Hyang’s tongue-clicking, the ministers glared at Kim Jong-seo with all their might.

‘Ah! Just go when told to!’

‘Maybe they’ll send lots of medicinal tonics!’

Whether aware of the ministers’ thoughts or not, Hyang continued while clicking his tongue:

“Tsk tsk tsk! Do you not understand this task’s importance? It takes over half a year just to travel between Suez and here! Do you not understand what that means? The negotiator must carry out the important duty of making all decisions on our behalf! And you suggest sending someone with shallow experience? Do you think that makes sense?”

At Hyang’s reprimand, Kim Jong-seo bowed his head.

“Please forgive your subject’s dullness! My thinking was far too short-sighted.”

“Then you’ll go?”

“I will do my utmost! I will begin preparations immediately!”

As Kim Jong-seo waved the white flag, Hyang quietly consoled him.

“Well, you don’t need to leave right away, so there’s no need to hurry. Since it will take at least a year for the survey team to investigate everything from soil quality onward. No need to rush so.”

“Yes.”

Seeing Kim Jong-seo finally showing relief, Hyang grumbled internally.

‘I bet it’s because of the pleasure quarters! Ah! That pleasure quarter addict!’

Even while grumbling, Hyang actively praised Kim Jong-seo.

“We have high expectations for Lord Jeoljae. With that boldness and courage that surpassed even military officers when pioneering the northeastern region, cracking Jurchen heads with musket handles like breaking pickle jars, I believe you’ll bring the best results.”

At Hyang’s words, Kim Jong-seo bowed his head and answered loudly:

“Your subject Kim Jong-seo will do his utmost with the determination to never retreat in battle!”

***

After resolving the issue of selecting the chief negotiator for Suez, Hyang moved on to the next matter.

Moistening his throat with black bean tea served by a eunuch, Hyang continued:

“As I mentioned to Duke Jinpyeong earlier, Wa Country has made another troublesome request, hasn’t it?”

At Hyang’s question, Kim Jeom immediately responded:

“Yes. Along with railway construction, they request training for military officers to command their self-proclaimed ‘Japanese National Army.'”

At Kim Jeom’s answer, Hyang stroked his chin and replied:

“Hmm… Has the head of the Ouchi family already gained enough control over Wa Country to make such requests with confidence?”

To Hyang’s question, Heo Hu responded:

“Suppressing the court nobles in the recent civil war and taking control of all their territories has given them great power.”

***

Until this period, the territories controlled by the court nobles amounted to nearly half of Japan’s enormous scale. The Ouchi family, who completely suppressed the court nobles in the recent civil war and seized these territories, instantly became the holder of Japan’s largest domain. In other words, this meant becoming the family with Wa Country’s greatest economic power.

Having gained control of not only the shogunate’s military power but also the Wa Country court previously controlled by court nobles, and furthermore economic power, the Ouchi family became Wa Country’s undisputed supreme power holder.

Having thus gained control of everything in Wa Country, Ouchi Mochiyo began seriously implementing the family’s long-cherished wish of “leaving Wa to enter the Empire”.

The first thing he started was the “abolition of domains and establishment of prefectures”.

-Abolish the domain system[3] that has continued until now! -In place of domains, divide areas into provinces, prefectures, and counties by size, to be governed by officials dispatched from the court!

Since it was a radical declaration, it was natural that the remaining daimyo and various lords, large and small, uniformly opposed it.

To this, Mochiyo extended a carrot:

-Lords will be given central court positions according to their rank. And these positions will be hereditary unless serious crimes are committed. -In addition to official salaries, lords will receive 10-20% of taxes collected from their former domains. -All soldiers maintained by lords will be incorporated into the national army. The samurai who commanded them will be given military officer ranks according to their grade.

Of course, it wasn’t just carrots:

-Those who receive central court positions must reside in Yamaguchi without exception. -Soldiers and samurai transferred from each domain to the national army must leave their former domains and be stationed where the court designates.

Thus, they cut the ties connecting lords and samurai to their territories.

Additionally, Ouchi employed another method that could be called divide-and-rule:

-All official ranks and military grades beyond those given to lords will be based on ability! -Future promotions will likewise be based on ability and achievement!

These policies of Ouchi began to fade the traditional “loyalty between lord and retainer.” This fading accelerated particularly among young scholars and samurai collectively called the Domain Faction.

While domain lords secured positions in the court, the real power still lay with the Study Abroad Faction.

Those who had studied in the Empire and returned began forming factions, strengthening their solidarity while occupying core working positions in the central court and local administrative organs.

Strongly stimulated by this, the Domain Faction soon began petitioning Mochiyo:

-We also want to learn the Empire’s advanced scholarship! Give us opportunities to study abroad!

Mochiyo, troubled by the Domain Faction’s petition, called his heir Norihiro for advice.

After thinking for several days, Norihiro shared his thoughts with Mochiyo:

“Wouldn’t it be fine? Since ancient times, well-fed hunting dogs become lazy. No, they might even bite their master if things go wrong. However, if you bring in another dog and keep them slightly hungry, both dogs will serve loyally with their lives.”

At Norihiro’s answer, Mochiyo clapped his knees in approval:

“The heir’s opinion is correct!”

Thus, Mochiyo made his request to the Empire:

-We want to send more exchange students to the Empire! Moreover, we want to send military officers for training!