The law drafted by Wan and refined by the ministers could be summarized as follows:
- Unless afflicted by illness, the emperor must serve for 20 years and diligently perform his duties for the Empire and its people.
- If an incident that will affect the Empire’s security for an extended period occurs within the last 3 years of the reign, the reign period shall be unconditionally extended by 5 years.
- The above matter requires agreement from more than half of the court ministers, not the emperor’s sole judgment. Alternatively, if more than half of the ministers request it, the extension of the reign period is decided.
- The extension of the reign period cannot exceed 5 years. The exception is when the crown prince dies before the emperor. Even in this case, it cannot exceed an additional 5 years.
- If a problem arises with Emperor Emeritus managing the New Frontier, one of Emperor Emeritus’s full or half-brothers shall be selected to act as proxy.
‘It would be too unfair if only I filled 20 years, no, 25 years!’
Though the law was filled with Wan’s self-interest, no ministers opposed it.
- Some work themselves to death unable to resign, while others fill exactly 10 years and fly away freely – that’s too unfair! I can’t stand to see that! Indeed, that’s right!
The ministers were also full of self-interest.
***
When this law passed, complaints like these flowed among officials below the rank of vice minister:
“Those addressed as ‘Your Excellency’ whine about not being able to resign, but those of us who at best are called ‘Sir’ or ‘Elder’ resign and leave as soon as we turn sixty… Shouldn’t we set retirement ages for the excellencies too?”
“Then what happens if the emperor and all the ministers change on the same day?”
“…”
Looking at the current replacement timing of the Empire’s cabinet-level ministers, most were replaced in the middle of the emperor’s reign.
The surface reason was ‘retirement due to old age.’ However, it had become an unspoken tradition that resignation was only permitted after applying several times and being truly on the verge of death.
This tradition arose because of ‘policy continuity.’
If most senior ministers were replaced at the same time as the emperor changed, it was certain that long-term policies looking ahead 10 or 20 years would be unthinkable.
And even with practical experience from Area 51 and the research institute, a newly enthroned emperor would inevitably be inexperienced in all aspects. To assist such an emperor and run the Empire required seasoned veteran ministers.
Of course, there was considerable possibility that these seasoned veteran ministers might abuse their power. However, though inexperienced, the emperor had already accumulated practical experience, and behind him stood the Emperor Emeritus who had returned from the New Frontier.
***
Meanwhile, the emperor’s brothers including Du and Seul looked at the last condition of the decree and smiled bitterly.
“Elder brother really holds grudges.”
According to the ‘principle of primogeniture succession,’ Wan became crown prince and emperor, but Wan hadn’t forgotten his brothers who had left him behind and quickly fled elsewhere.
Especially toward Du and Seul, who though born of different mothers were born on the same day at the same hour and were like twins, Wan harbored deeper resentment.
“These guys flee just to save themselves? Just wait and see!”
However, before Wan could act, the officials resolved Wan’s grudge for him.
- They’re His Majesty’s brothers! We’d be fools not to use them!
Contrary to Du and Seul’s wishes to work at sites far from Gyeongbok Palace, they were assigned to budget departments in the Six Ministries offices right next to Gyeongbok Palace.
Nevertheless, specifically inserting the phrase ‘including full and half-brothers’ was Wan’s lingering resentment.
***
In contrast, despite seeing the same clause, the officials’ reaction was opposite.
“Could anything really happen to Emperor Emeritus in the New Frontier?”
This was because from Sejong through Hyang to Wan, all had paid and were paying special attention to their health.
In Sejong’s case, he was the result of Hyang’s ‘healthy pig creation.’
And in Hyang and Wan’s cases, it was because of their personal interests.
“Only when I become the Emperor Emeritus and retire can I comfortably do what I want! I must endure until then!”
However, the New Frontier was not such an easy land. Thanks to this, Hyang and Wan had to raise their goals.
“I must endure until I become Venerable Emperor and can play comfortably!”
“I’ve endured 25 years so far! I must endure another 20 years in the New Frontier before I have my own time! Health is best!”
Dreaming of ‘retirement faithful to hobbies,’ Hyang and Wan did their best to manage their health.
And this continued to Hyeon, who would now inherit the throne.
“I won’t be free for another 40 years! I can’t die until then! I won’t forgive even being sickly!”
And this became a tradition passed down to the Empire’s emperors.
- Want to live doing what you want in a peaceful old age without criticism? Then run! The sweat you shed today guarantees your peaceful retirement!
***
After this small commotion passed, Wan’s abdication and Hyeon’s enthronement followed.
To attend Hyeon’s coronation and transfer operational authority of the New Frontier to Wan, Hyang also returned to the mainland.
As a gangway was placed on the ship that arrived at the dock and Hyang appeared, the waiting Imperial military band began playing the ‘Imperial Army March.’
Hyang’s expression was subtle as he descended the gangway listening to the strangely familiar music.
‘I feel like Darth Vader!’
As Hyang safely set foot on land, the waiting Wan welcomed him warmly.
“Welcome back! I sincerely welcome your return!”
“You seem too happy?”
When Hyang spoke with narrowed eyes, Wan grinned and responded:
“Of course! Isn’t it a good day?”
“Have you grown a lot?”
“Hahaha! You flatter me!”
Seeing Wan’s confident response, Hyang grumbled inwardly.
‘You’re really living it up. Living it up…’
Heading on the special train, Wan continued asking Hyang questions.
After various questions and answers including the latest information about the New Frontier, Wan threw his final question.
“By the way, how is the situation at the flying machine research institute?”
Unlike when asking other questions, Wan’s face was seriousness itself.
At Wan’s appearance, Hyang shook his head back and forth.
Seeing cargo unloaded from the ship being loaded onto train cars connected to the iron horse, Wan asked Hyang:
“You’ve brought quite a lot of luggage.”
“Ah! Gifts for my grandchildren.”
“Is that so? There’s nothing in the records about what they are – may I know what they are?”
At Wan’s question, Hyang answered with a face full of mischief:
“It’s a secret.”
***
When Hyang arrived in Seoul, a banquet welcoming Hyang’s return was held at Gyeongbok Palace.
First gathering only royal family members, then with high and low officials attending, and finally gathering national heroes – large banquets continued for several days.
After the banquets that continued for several days ended, on an auspicious day chosen after much deliberation, the abdication ceremony transferring the throne from Wan to Hyeon and the coronation ceremony were held.
With all members of the royal family, the entire court, and envoys from Ming, Japan, Florence, France, Portugal, the Ottomans, and various countries including India in attendance, the abdication and coronation ceremonies ended safely, and Hyeon ascended as the Empire’s third emperor.
“Third? Isn’t it the fourth?”
When European envoys raised questions, the interpreter explained the reason:
“The one who first founded the Empire was the Founding Emperor, and the next was the First Emperor, so the Third Emperor is correct.”
“Ah…”
After the coronation ended safely, a banquet was held for the envoys.
The banquet gathering the envoys was another diplomatic venue. The envoys engaged in preliminary battles for future diplomatic negotiations by conversing with attending Imperial officials or envoys from other countries.
Particularly, Florence and France diligently conducted negotiations, alternately meeting with envoys from the Empire, Portugal, and the Ottomans.
While they shared interests regarding Suez, from the moment things erupted in Italy, relations between France and Florence would inevitably deteriorate.
Therefore, envoys from France and Florence diligently met with envoys from Portugal and the Ottomans and Imperial officials, trying to win them to their side.
Particularly, the French envoy was desperate to draw Portugal and the Ottomans to their country’s side.
- The Empire has already joined hands with Florence! We can’t let Portugal and the Ottomans go over too!
However, despite the French envoy’s efforts, the responses shown by the Portuguese and Ottoman envoys were largely similar.
“Both Florence and France are our precious allies, so we cannot carelessly take sides. We only hope unfortunate events do not occur.”
***
As time passed after the coronation and envoys visiting the Empire began leaving one by one, Hyang called Hyeon and Wan to the Imperial Guard shooting range prepared at Sugang Palace.
“I’m grateful and sorry for coming when you must be busy with state affairs.”
At Hyang’s words, Hyeon answered with a respectful expression and voice:
“Not at all. How could I refuse when the Imperial Grandfather has summoned me?”
“Thank you.”
Wan, alternately looking at Hyang’s pleased face and Hyeon’s moved face, muttered inwardly:
‘To Hyeon, the Imperial Grandfather must be a living legend.’
He was right.
To Hyeon, Hyang was a ‘legend.’ Most of the countless things that made the current Empire exist had appeared in the world through Hyang’s mind and hands.
And even now, the Record of Challenges that made scholars at Area 51 and the research institute stake their lives was also Hyang’s work.
Therefore, just being with that legend now was an honor for Hyeon.
“I’ve asked you to come because I have a few things to show His Majesty.”
“What are they?”
“First, the ‘small fire cart.'”
“Small fire cart?”
When Hyeon and Wan expressed doubt, Hyang gestured to the waiting Imperial Guard soldier.
At Hyang’s gesture, the waiting soldier removed the red cloth covering the desk.
“Hm?”
“The size…”
What appeared was a gun slightly over half the size of a military musket.
“It has everything from the stock onward, but it’s a fire cart, not a musket? No, wait, if it’s a fire cart… Could it be?”
“That ‘could it be’ is correct.”
“You mean it’s capable of rapid fire?”
“Correct. I’ll show you.”
Hyang picked up the small fire cart, inserted a long magazine underneath, and pulled the charging handle.
Click!
Once loaded, Hyang aimed the small fire cart at the target and pulled the trigger.
Tatatang!
Dozens of bullets poured onto the target in an instant, and Hyeon and Wan couldn’t close their mouths.
After emptying two more magazines, Hyang breathed heavily with a satisfied expression.
“Phew~. Still thrilling!”
Meanwhile, Hyeon, having come to his senses, asked Hyang:
“Is this why it’s called a small fire cart?”
“That’s right.”
At Hyang’s answer, Wan spoke up:
“I’d like to know why you made it.”
“It was because of the battle reports that came up after subjugating the Mexica tribe.”
As soon as he heard Hyang’s answer, Wan’s expression changed subtly.
‘I don’t think that’s it?’
At Wan’s expression, Hyang’s expression also changed subtly.
‘Have some faith! Just a little!’
During the wordless conversation between father and son, Hyeon was gazing at the small fire cart with an enraptured expression.