As Hyang had told Wan, Australia was nothing more than chicken ribs to him—no, it was a card worth even less than chicken ribs.

In any case, looking at the Empire’s current situation, there’s no need to be greedy for Australia and South America, nor should we be.

As Hyang had said, the Empire’s territory was steadily expanding.

It wasn’t simply because they had acquired the New Frontier.

The Empire’s Northern Territories were also continuously extending their reach.

***

By winning the war that erupted from Emperor Xuande’s miscalculation, Joseon had seized the Liaodong region and transformed into an empire.

Acquiring the Liaodong region wasn’t merely about claiming the cause of “recovering ancient homeland.”

They had gained the abundant minerals and considerable population of the Liaodong region, and more importantly, it had facilitated the development of Siberia.

Before obtaining Liaodong, they had to transport supplies and personnel through the narrow transportation route that stretched along the coastline from the Tumen River.

However, with the acquisition of Liaodong, those shackles had disappeared.

Using iron ore and coal from Liaodong, even larger steel mills were built, and with the steel produced from those mills, they could construct railways heading north on a massive scale.

Through those newly built railways, fur hunters and gold prospectors headed north. Following them came merchants and farmers seeking new homesteads.

As people moved in this way, the areas east of Lake Baikal—where previously they had only planted flags and returned—began to establish themselves as part of the Empire’s domain.

***

As the territories of the Northern Lands and New Frontier expanded, Hyang once again keenly felt the need for “selection and concentration.”

“I know where everything is, and greedily I want to say ‘It’s all mine!’ but if I did that, it’d be a total disaster. First, the Empire lacks the capacity, and second, those greedy Europeans are a problem. Ming and Japan are issues too…”

Ming at that time was under Emperor Jingtai’s reign, and Emperor Jingtai made no effort to hide his hostility toward the Empire.

In Japan’s case, the newly established Ouchi shogunate was “pro-Empire,” but the situation wasn’t good enough to feel secure.

First, while the Ouchi shogunate was passionately reforming Japan and strengthening its control, it hadn’t completely secured dominance over the country.

Therefore, the possibility always existed that the Ouchi regime could fall and a new government hostile to the Empire could emerge.

That wasn’t all.

The advanced age of the Ouchi shogunate’s leader—who could be called an “absolute pro-Empire faction”—and his heir who would succeed him was also problematic.

When they stepped down and a generational change occurred, there was no guarantee the new generation would be cooperative with the Empire.

“One way or another, Japan’s geographical position itself is like a knife aimed at the Empire’s throat…”

After grumbling about Japan’s geographical position, Hyang smiled bitterly.

“Wasn’t it for the same reason that the Japanese Empire annexed Korea? Then should we consume Japan?”

Momentarily contemplating “annexing Japan,” Hyang shook his head.

“Nah. Let’s not do something that’ll get us criticized for doing the same thing. Besides, swallowing Japan would be a loss.”

Having thus erased the idea of “annexing Japan,” Hyang drummed his fingers on the desk.

“The problem is how to appease these greedy bastards. If we’re not careful, they might form another Crusade and invade our Empire. Or they might transcend race and religion, shouting ‘We are the World!’ as they attack. We need to throw them some prey to fight over among themselves.”

After this consideration, Hyang selected Australia and South America as the best bait to throw to Europe and Japan.

***

Hyang had several reasons for choosing Australia and South America.

• With current technology levels, there are many problems in developing Australia and South America.
• Australia and South America only gained attention as resource powerhouses after the late 20th century.
• With current technology, there are many problems in overcoming Australia’s vast deserts and South America’s Amazon rainforest.
• Even if iron and coal mines are developed in Australia, it would be difficult to secure economic viability with Europe’s current shipping capabilities and transport capacity.
• The same goes for South America.

Among the resources from South America, the most valuable ones wouldn’t gain attention until internal combustion engines and semiconductors became commonplace.

• In this situation, what could really catch the attention of greedy Europeans and others would be things like gold and silver.
• Fortunately, large gold and silver mines exist in Australia and South America.
• Profit!

Satisfied with this conclusion, Hyang relaxed like a well-fed cat and reached his decision.

“Once the ‘maritime barrier’ planned by Father is completed, we can relax about the eastern New Frontier. And if the Empire continues to grow steadily, we won’t need to worry even when Australia and South America’s resources gain attention. By then, we can acquire them using capital as our weapon.”

Hyang muttered while glaring at the New Frontier portion of the world map hanging on the wall.

“Australia and South America are places where the developer at least balanced things with deserts and the Amazon. The difficulty level is high too. I can’t lose the ‘developer’s cheat map, the world’s cheat code’ by being greedy for those.”

***

Having already reached this conclusion, Hyang immediately decided to use Australia as a throwaway card as soon as the Navy’s proposal came up.

“Although our Empire is working hard to block it now, eventually other countries will learn about the New Frontier. If they join hands to claim the New Frontier, it would be disastrous, so the best strategy is to throw them appropriate bait. Whether such an unknown continent actually exists is fifty-fifty, though.”

At Hyang’s words, Wan bowed his head and exclaimed repeatedly in admiration.

“The strategy Your Majesty has devised is truly the supreme strategy! This son cannot help but be filled with admiration!”

“You flatter me. You too could do this if you think things through once more.”

“I shall endeavor to do so!”

After creating such a warm atmosphere with Wan, Hyang commanded his ministers.

“Consider well the Navy’s proposal and my thoughts, and devise an appropriate strategy.”

“We receive your command!”

The ministers who bowed and responded to Hyang’s command felt cold sweat running down their spines.

To think of such a lethal scheme on the spot—His Majesty is truly a fearsome person!

His Highness was also famous for his deep scheming, but His Majesty is definitely not inferior!

Following Hyang’s command, the “Chicken Ribs Operation” was created with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Defense at its core.

• If Europeans learn of the New Frontier’ existence, the operation will commence.

With this precondition, the “Chicken Ribs Operation” disappeared beneath the surface.

However, at some point, it spontaneously ignited.

This spontaneous combustion occurred as Europeans began to suspect the existence of the New Frontier.

***

Through European intellectuals who had entered the Empire, the “spherical Earth theory” once again gained attention.

Of course, the “spherical Earth theory” had been proposed even in ancient Greek and Roman times, but it hadn’t been accepted as established fact.

However, as the Empire recognized the “spherical Earth theory” as fact and even presented evidence to prove it, Europeans also came to accept it as established truth.

And a considerable number of Europeans simultaneously came to the same thought.

“Wait… if the Earth is round, couldn’t we reach the Empire without going through Suez or around Africa?”

Among those who had this thought, those with capital and executive ability began “exploring the western route.”

The most representative were British nobles.

Many organized fleets and departed from London with dreams of striking it rich.

However, only a tiny few returned.

Only those who had mistimed their journey and lost ships to typhoons, or barely survived pirate attacks along the way, made it back.

Everyone else never returned.

Those who departed to explore the western route were loaded with abundant supplies and wealth in preparation for long-distance voyages and in case their exploration succeeded.

These explorers headed south to avoid the rough waves of the North Atlantic.

The problem was that pirates from North Africa and the Mediterranean region set out on expeditions to plunder these exploration fleets.

It wasn’t just pirates.

Ships from Portugal and Spain also watched for opportunities and pounced.

The Imperial Navy awaited the exploration ships that barely overcame these crises and headed west.

The maritime barrier that Sejong had begun and Hyang inherited was nearly in its final stages.

Particularly, Hyang, who knew about “Columbus’s discovery of the New World,” ordered the New Frontier naval fleet to move their patrol area further south.

“According to what the Europeans say, the northern seas between Europe and the New Frontier have rough waves that make navigation difficult. If so, they’ll come further south to head for the New Frontier. Therefore, dispatch fleets further south.”

“We receive your command!”

The exploration ships that challenged the “western route” were caught by the maritime barrier that had been moved south and disappeared into the sea.

As failures continued, interest in the “western route” slowly began to fade.

With continued failures, the nobles who had funded expeditions went bankrupt or gave up, and sailors wouldn’t volunteer.

Particularly the sailors, sensitive to all sorts of superstitions, waved their hands dismissively at any mention of the “western route.”

“The Earth is round? Nonsense! The giant cliff that’s been talked about since ancient times was there! That’s why they all fell off and died!”

“Fine, let’s say the Earth is round like you smart people claim. I still won’t go on the western route! That route is definitely cursed! They all died from the curse!”

As investment decreased and recruiting sailors became increasingly difficult, interest in the “western route” gradually faded away.

Then, rumors about the “New Frontier” began circulating among Europeans.

• The ‘Land of Flowers’ discovered new territory to the east!
• They discovered this land quite some time ago and named it ‘New Frontier.’

“Where did this rumor come from?”

Europeans who heard the rumors soon began searching for their source.

The investigation revealed multiple sources.

• Things that drunken Empire sailors babbled about in taverns after disembarking at Suez.

“Isn’t that just drunken nonsense?”

“No. No matter how drunk they were, as soon as the word ‘New Frontier’ came up, others around them would stop them from talking.”

“Oh?”

Another source was sailors who had entered the Empire for trade.

Since considerable time had passed, European sailors fluent in the Empire’s language were common.

“Of course, that was because of their sinister intentions to seduce Empire women…”

Whatever their purpose, European sailors fluent in the Empire’s language understood conversations between Empire citizens, and through those conversations, they learned of the New Frontier’ existence.

“The second source seems more credible. Then that rumor must be true…”

“Could there be some connection between the New Frontier and the disappearance of the exploration fleets?”

Europeans pondering the relationship between the two recalled a forgotten memory.

It was a proclamation the Empire had issued regarding entry into Empire territory.

• All ships and foreigners wishing to enter Empire territory must stop at the Southwest Islands to receive permission! Violators will be considered pirates and sunk!

“Don’t tell me!”