“Hmm… Though the Ouchi family maintains good relations with us, I believe their current request deserves consideration. What does the Prime Minister think?”
At Hyang’s question, Kim Jeom responded as if he had been waiting:
“Let me analyze the Wa Country’s Ouchi family’s requests point by point. First, regarding exchange students learning classical studies and practical affairs, we can increase them by up to 20% from current numbers.”
“Only 20%? I hear even rumors that once students pass classical studies and are deemed capable of practical work, everyone rushes to recruit them.”
At Hyang’s point, Kim Jeom readily acknowledged the fact.
“Indeed, we still lack manpower to run the Empire. This is because the ideal government size pursued by Jung Do-jeon of Sambong and other predecessors was remarkably small.”
***
When Joseon was founded, those pursuing a Neo-Confucian ideal state believed government need not be large.
-If people are educated and everyone accumulates virtue, a large government isn’t needed. Rather, the larger the government grows, the more burden it places on the people!
Following this decision, court officials of the time typically held at least two or three concurrent positions. While such concurrent positions were mandatory, salaries were actually reduced.
As a result, until Sejong implemented the Reformation, Joseon’s court suffered serious personnel stagnation, and bribery was commonplace.
This impact continued to influence even now, almost a generation later.
Or more precisely, the talent shortage was being somewhat resolved as the Reformation allowed both illegitimate sons and women to enter government service.
However, the problem was that the Empire’s territory expanded far more rapidly than the rate of talent recruitment.
As a result, while supply and demand for lower officials was somewhat resolved, the weakness in middle ranks remained a headache.
At Kim Jeom’s response, Hyang’s eyes lit up.
‘He openly mentioned Sambong Jung Do-jeon? Has he finally broken free from that taboo?’
Jung Do-jeon’s existence, purged by Taejong in the ‘First Prince’s Revolt,’ was a kind of taboo.
He was occasionally mentioned when Sejong carried out the Reformation. However, only King Sejong could mention him freely; ministers had to be extremely cautious and speak circuitously.
One wrong move could lead to endless petitions from censors and unknown consequences.
However, now that Joseon had become the Empire, ministers naturally began mentioning Jung Do-jeon.
Private armies that Jung Do-jeon sought to abolish were eliminated, and military power was seized by the Emperor. Furthermore, the conquest of Liaodong that Jung Do-jeon promoted had expanded the Empire’s territory to the Great Wall’s doorstep.
And Jung Do-jeon’s dream of harmonizing royal and ministerial power was taking shape through the ‘Supreme Law’ as a legal system.
Therefore, current ministers and rising officials found it natural to mention Jung Do-jeon’s name when necessary.
Incidentally, as times changed, proposals arose to pardon Ryu Jeong-hyeon and his companions who were purged by Sejong, but Hyang firmly refused.
“Those people tried to ruin the grand plan, trapped in their own stubbornness without understanding the deep implications of the situation! Even though they’re all dead, I absolutely cannot allow their pardons and restorations!”
At Hyang’s adamant refusal, the pardon proposals immediately sank to the ocean floor.
Afterward, whenever Ryu Jeong-hyeon’s name came up among officials at pleasure quarters, they all shook their heads.
“Why did he have to be so obstinate and dig his own grave! He brought it upon himself!”
Meanwhile, Hyang strengthened his resolve, remembering past conversations with Sejong.
“The Empire isn’t stable yet. Whether descendants of the Giyu Rebellion or of Ryu Jeong-hyeon and his companions, they must be kept away from power at least while I’m alive.”
***
Kim Jeom continued explaining why it had to be 20%:
“As Your Majesty said, we truly lack manpower. As the saying goes ‘the more the better,’ having more Wa people to work would be beneficial. However, this could lead to leaks of our Empire’s secrets, including the New Frontier. Therefore, 20% is optimal for convenient use in appropriate positions.”
At Kim Jeom’s answer, Hyang muttered internally:
‘Exactly that. Non-regular workers, or rather dispatch workers like those often appearing in J-dramas.’
Quickly organizing his thoughts that were drifting sideways, Hyang pointed out about the New Frontier:
“Don’t many of our people already know about the New Frontier?”
“As Your Majesty knows, what the people know is merely rumor level. Only officials and soldiers directly involved in operations, and craftsmen of Area 51 know properly.”
Kim Jeom’s expression while answering seemed to have much to say.
‘You were the one who managed secrets so strictly in the first place, why ask me? Who are you trying to feed?’
***
Hyang’s secrecy policy regarding the New Frontier bordered on paranoia.
Transport ship crews traveling to and from the New Frontier, regardless of rank, had to sign confidentiality agreements.
And people migrating to the New Frontier under the population policy could only receive permission after agreeing to mail censorship.
“What kind of land is it really?”
“They offer much more land than Daeseoldo or the Northern Territory, so I applied, but why is it so complicated?”
“Ah, shit! This is unbearable! Should I just go to the Northern Territory?”
Many applicants, frustrated by the unexpectedly complex screening process, turned toward the more familiar Northern Territory. However, those who passed this process and settled near Daehogoon in the New Frontier soon sent letters to relatives remaining in their hometown.
The letters’ content was simple:
-Stop talking and come to the New Frontier immediately!
And relatives in their hometown who received these letters showed half-believing expressions.
“Come to the New Frontier? Have they already forgotten that notorious screening process? Are they trying to trick me? Or is there really something there?”
Though petitions about the strict screening process continued to arrive, Hyang had no intention of relaxing it.
“We must keep it hidden until the New Frontier’s natives properly assimilate into the Empire and its own defenses are established. From what I know, Columbus set foot on the New World in 1492, so we must complete these preparations within 20 to 30 years.”
After hearing detailed plans from Sejong, who briefly returned for the Empire’s proclamation, Hyang developed a reinforced long-term plan.
Hyang’s target in that plan was simple:
-Block at least the North American region, and if possible up to Mexico, at the Atlantic line!
***
“Very well. Let’s do this. For exchange students coming purely to learn classical studies, mathematics, law, medicine, and other subjects, we’ll increase by 10% annually, but those learning administrative practices will be limited to top performers up to 20%. However, even this 20% isn’t guaranteed and will be limited to those who pass screening with excellent grades. We’ll warn that numbers might actually decrease if they don’t pass screening. How about that?”
At Hyang’s summary proposal, Kim Jeom bowed his head.
“A most appropriate decision. Particularly, warning that numbers might decrease rather than automatically increase is the optimal solution. This will make exchange students study harder and become more influenced by the Empire.”
Nodding lightly at Kim Jeom’s words, Hyang looked around at other ministers.
“What do others think?”
At Hyang’s question, the ministers simultaneously bowed their heads and answered:
“A most appropriate decision!”
***
“With the exchange student issue settled this way, the next problem is accepting students at the Military Academy.”
At Hyang’s words, Kim Jeom immediately stepped forward to answer.
“Though my knowledge of military matters is shallow, I believe this request should not be accepted. Although the Ouchi family maintains friendly relations with our Empire and claims vassalage, Wa people are Wa people. It’s their nature to be fierce and to follow outwardly while opposing internally.”
All ministers nodded at Kim Jeom’s words. Seeing their faces, Hyang turned to Min Shin, the Minister of Defense.
“What does the Minister of Defense think?”
At Hyang’s question, Min Shin organized his thoughts briefly before stating his opinion.
“Your subject also agrees with the Prime Minister’s opinion. Looking at Wa Country’s current situation, it’s certain that the Ouchi family has control. Also, it’s true that Ouchi Mochiyo, who leads the Ouchi family now, is cooperative with our Empire. However, the problem is that Mochiyo is quite old. Though his successor Ouchi Norihiro also reportedly desires friendly relations and vassalage with our Empire, it’s not certain. In this situation, training those who will lead Wa troops could bring more harm than benefit.”
At Min Shin’s words, Hyang immediately asked:
“What are the benefits and harms?”
“The benefit would be showing the majesty of our Empire’s military to those who will lead Wa forces, preemptively breaking their will to provoke us. Additionally, we could make them admire the Empire. If we use this well, even if a new Ouchi ruler harbors ill intentions, we might create situations where Wa forces themselves refuse.”
“Wouldn’t that possibility be very low? No matter how much they admire our Empire, the military is an organization of absolute command and obedience, isn’t it natural they would follow their ruler’s orders?”
At Hyang’s point, Min Shin nodded.
“That is true. If such a thing happened, we should consider the Ouchi family of Wa Country finished.”
Nodding at Min Shin’s words, Hyang continued:
“I understand the benefits well. Everyone knows the harms without explanation. Then would it be appropriate to reject this part?”
At Hyang’s words, Foreign Minister Heo Hu stepped forward to express opposition.
“Though rejection would be best, it could cause significant diplomatic problems. Though Mochiyo currently controls Wa Country, there are still those who oppose him. If we reject Mochiyo’s request, it would greatly damage the face of Mochiyo, who advocates ‘leaving Wa to enter the Empire’ and is friendly to the Empire. At worst, Mochiyo’s rule could be greatly shaken. Furthermore, if Mochiyo harbors resentment, another conflict could break out. Though the Empire’s power could suppress it immediately, I think it’s better to avoid unnecessary bloodshed.”
As Heo Hu finished speaking, Kim Jeom picked up:
“The Foreign Minister’s statement has merit.”
At Kim Jeom’s words, Hyang unconsciously revealed his inner thoughts:
“How are all these so-called neighbors nothing but trouble…”
The ministers nodded with expressions of extreme sympathy at Hyang’s words.
Afterward, the ministers continued debating, offering various opinions and rebuttals.
Finally, after organizing the ministers’ opinions, Hyang shared his thoughts:
“How about doing this?”
Drawing the ministers’ attention, Hyang explained his idea:
“First, we exclude the navy.”
The ministers all nodded at Hyang’s words. Given their historical infamy as pirates, excluding the navy was natural.
“And…”
After briefly pausing to moisten his throat, Hyang continued:
“For the army, rather than bringing them here, we’ll send instructors there. The instructors’ task will be to teach only how to fight. We won’t teach them how to win.”