Wan continued reading Hyang’s letter.

• -When I say the parts’ dimensions were matched, it means they must be manufactured to those exact dimensions to achieve proper performance.
• -Europe’s steel technology still lags far behind the Empire’s. Parts manufactured to specifications using their own steel cannot deliver proper performance.
• -Therefore, even if Florence produces them domestically, they must purchase parts from our Empire.
• -Of course, Florence will be dissatisfied with this and will try to find alternatives.
• -They have two alternatives to choose from:
  • Either improve the quality of steel used for parts, or adjust the parts’ measurements to match the performance of steel they can produce or obtain.
  • -Both approaches are only possible through extensive trial and error. This means significant time and capital investment.
  • -And our Empire can use that time to advance further while preparing for any potential military involvement.

When Wan read to this point, Lim Sun-wook clearly wanted to say something.

Glancing at Lim Sun-wook’s expression, Wan continued reading the letter’s next section.

• -Some ministers may oppose this plan.
• -Their reason for opposition will probably be this:

Europe is already making great efforts to catch up with the Empire’s technology. Greatly stimulated by this incident, they will redouble their efforts, and the time needed to catch up with the Empire will shrink even faster.

• -As a counterargument, looking at Italy’s situation, there will be more than a few preparing for war.

Since ancient times, war has greatly advanced technology. Bronze swords gave way to iron swords, and gunpowder weapons continuously evolved.

• -While preparing for war, Europe has already accelerated. They will have planted numerous spies in our Empire as well as in competing nations.
• -If we pass the Florentine rifle blueprints to Florence, they will certainly spread everywhere before long.
• -Then they won’t directly follow the path our Empire has taken but will take a slight detour.
• -If that happens, our Empire can gain even a little more time. Of course, earning some wealth is a bonus.

“That’s all…”

Both Wan, who set down Hyang’s letter, and the ministers who had heard its contents wore expressions full of bewilderment.

At first they had been filled with admiration, but as time passed, that space was filled with bewilderment.

“He leaves us nothing to even argue against…”

At Wan’s muttering, everyone in the hall simultaneously nodded.

“If you don’t know, you get trapped; even if you know, you still get trapped… He leaves us speechless.”

As everyone nodded at Hwangbo In’s words, Kim Jong-seo continued.

“The phrase ‘seeing a thousand li while sitting’ suits him perfectly. To understand the situation so accurately with just the small bits of information sent from here, and then to provide fitting answers on top of that…”

At Kim Jong-seo’s words, Wan had to forcibly suppress his itching mouth.

***

While the ministers could only receive information sent by Ministry of Defense and Foreign Affairs personnel dispatched to Europe, Wan and Hyang were receiving intelligence from the Secret Guard as well.

Since the Secret Guard was far superior in the speed, quantity, and quality of information delivery, Wan and Hyang knew the external situation better than the ministers.

‘No, wait. Considering where the Emperor Emeritus is located…’

Even if the Secret Guard delivered information faster than the Defense or Foreign Ministries, Hyang in New Frontier would receive information much later than Wan.

This was because they had to rely on regular transport ships traveling between New Frontier and the mainland. If they sent something separately without proper justification, the ministers would certainly notice the Secret Guard’s existence.

Since secretly monitoring ministers and key commanders was also part of the Secret Guard’s duties, revealing their existence would benefit no one.

***

“Ahem! Ahem!”

Wan’s light cough pulled the ministers from their reverie.

Looking at the ministers who had regained their focus and were watching him, Wan spoke.

“What do you think of the alternative the Emperor Emeritus sent? I think it’s quite a good strategy.”

At Wan’s words, all the ministers looked at Lim Sun-wook. Receiving everyone’s gaze, Lim Sun-wook carefully spoke.

“The alternative the Emperor Emeritus sent is certainly a very good strategy. However, I believe we should examine the Florentine rifle more thoroughly.”

At Lim Sun-wook’s response, Shin Sukju stepped forward.

“Do you dare find fault with a strategy created by the Emperor Emeritus?”

At Shin Sukju’s accusation, Lim Sun-wook immediately countered.

“I agree that the strategy the Emperor Emeritus sent is excellent. However, it might only be excellent in our eyes. Let me use food as a simple example. The seasoning might suit my taste perfectly, but for others it might be too salty or bland. Don’t we need to check this and add water or more salt so others can eat it? The Emperor Emeritus believes Florence can manufacture a rifle of that level, but what if upon actual inspection, they can’t even manage that much?”

“…”

At Lim Sun-wook’s question, Shin Sukju fell silent. Watching this scene from his elevated position, Wan made a decision.

“The Finance Minister’s words are correct. The Ministry of Defense shall take the Florentine rifle and thoroughly examine it, then report its strengths and weaknesses to me.”

“We receive your command.”

“And Foreign Minister.”

After giving orders to the Defense Minister, Wan called Shin Sukju.

“Please command me.”

“The Emperor Emeritus clearly said it was ‘advice’ and ‘recommended’ adoption if we thought it suitable. This means I and the ministers should examine it thoroughly once more to decide. But ‘dare’… Does that mean I too must follow unconditionally?”

Wan’s voice was low and level. However, as his words continued, the air in the hall grew increasingly cold. Simultaneously, Shin Sukju’s face grew increasingly pale.

The moment Wan finished speaking, Shin Sukju immediately prostrated himself on the floor.

“This minister’s thinking was shallow! Please look upon me with generosity!”

“It’s not good for a nation’s minister to show shallow thinking. The minister should keep in mind the phrase ‘careful deliberation.'”

“I will keep this in mind again and again!”

Wan looked around at the other ministers and continued.

“The same goes for all of you. Always remember the phrase ‘careful deliberation.'”

“We will keep this in mind!”

The officials who answered in unison all glared at Shin Sukju.

‘Always causing trouble! Trouble!’

‘Trying too hard to look good and ending up looking bad… Tsk tsk tsk…’

‘He’ll end at minister level… He was someone with ambitions too…’

‘Should I send him lots of tonic medicine!’

Though the atmosphere turned icy at the end, the meeting concluded smoothly. Leaving the hall, the officials all glanced sideways at Shin Sukju. Still pale-faced, Shin Sukju staggered as he walked. At some distance from Shin Sukju, a group of officials watched him with serious expressions. They were officials who had unknowingly maintained connections with Shin Sukju.

Meanwhile, Wan moved to his quarters with Crown Prince Hyeon to talk.

“The Emperor Emeritus is a great blessing Heaven has bestowed upon our Empire. The Crown Prince must carefully observe the Emperor Emeritus’s actions to prepare for your reign.”

“Yes, Your Majesty. However…”

Pausing briefly, Hyeon looked at the historians and scribes in the quarters and made a request to Wan.

“Your Majesty. Though it may be presumptuous, please dismiss the historians and scribes.”

“Hmm… Historians and scribes, step outside for a moment.”

Once the historians and scribes had left, Hyeon carefully asked Wan.

“Your Majesty. Will you leave Shin Sukju as he is?”

At Hyeon’s question, Wan stroked his chin with a troubled expression.

“Hmm… Looking only at ability, he is indeed a very capable person…”

“Didn’t Your Majesty tell me something?”

“What did I tell you? What was it…”

“About the standards for evaluating incompetence and competence. You said the standards by which the people evaluate and the standards by which the Emperor evaluates must be different.”

“Ah, that?”

Wan’s expression showed he finally remembered.

‘This teaching too came from the Emperor Emeritus.’

***

When Wan was just receiving his crown prince education, Hyang had told him this:

“Personally, it’s good to associate with good people, kind people, people with integrity. However, when employing people, you cannot look only at their character. With their character as a foundation, you must check the following.”

What Hyang said next was:

• -If the people say someone is ‘incompetent,’ they are incompetent to the monarch as well. Don’t employ them.
• -If the people say someone is ‘ordinary’ or ‘adequate,’ the monarch should think: ‘They can be replaced at any time.’
• -If someone is called ‘capable’ among the people, the monarch can trust and use them for a long time.
• -If someone is called ‘very capable’ among the people, the monarch should use them but never take their eyes off them. Those who are ‘very capable’ know they are capable themselves. Therefore, trusting only in their ability, they may run wild and ruin things. In such cases, it can bring worse results than employing an incompetent person.
• -Therefore, as a monarch, it’s better to employ capable people rather than very capable ones.

After explaining this far, Hyang suddenly chuckled and gave another example.

“It’s the same with courtesans. It’s better to avoid courtesans who are too beautiful. Those courtesans know too well how beautiful they are and become arrogant. You go to enjoy refined entertainment pleasantly but end up having your mood ruined instead. Better to avoid them.”

“What? Yes. Ah! I see!”

***

“Hmm… Shin Sukju would indeed be a ‘very capable person.'”

At Wan’s words, Hyeon put more force in his voice.

“I’m not just taking issue with today’s incident. Reports have come up several times about him barely crossing the line.”

“I know too.”

The Secret Guard quietly and persistently monitored high officials and commanders. And they reported the results to Wan and Hyeon.

According to the Secret Guard’s reports, people were gradually gathering around Shin Sukju.

Since there were no illegal activities like bribery or personnel corruption yet, Wan was just watching the situation.

“Not yet. It’s hard to find someone as capable as Shin Sukju. I’m quietly looking for people who may be slightly less capable than Shin Sukju but have sufficient experience, so Crown Prince, worry less.”

At Wan’s answer, Hyeon bowed his head, then suddenly asked as if remembering something.

“Your Majesty. Then what do you think about Han Myeong-hoe? Isn’t he also a very capable person?”

“Right. Very capable and very ambitious too. It’s an open secret that he’s aiming for the Prime Minister’s office.”

“Then shouldn’t we do something about him too?”

At Hyeon’s concern, Wan smiled slightly and shook his head.

“No, I can rest easy with Han Myeong-hoe. He’s as cautious as he is capable and ambitious. He knows too well what he can and cannot do. What he may do and what he absolutely must not do. That’s why I can rest easy.”

“Ah…”

At Wan’s words, Hyeon nodded.

Han Myeong-hoe’s behavior came from his own nature, but Hyang also played a part.

When he first stepped forward to reveal himself, Hyang had been the first to see through his true intentions.

-It was quite a good opportunity, wasn’t it?

Since that day, Han Myeong-hoe had never harbored other intentions toward Hyang and Wan.