While the craftsmen of Area 51 were pouring out all sorts of ideas, fantasies, and delusions aimed at evolving the new power system, the craftsmen of Area 52 were not sitting idle either. After reading the report sent from Seoul, the craftsmen of Area 52 wore intriguing expressions.
“Oho~. Is that so?”
“We can’t just sit on our hands, can we?”
“Of course not! If we did, old man Jang Yeongsil would burst out of his coffin!”
“Indeed! Indeed!”
The craftsmen of Area 52 present there, regardless of their origin, all nodded in agreement.
***
The most symbolic figure in Area 51 and 52 was Jang Yeongsil. Originally, it was Hyang and Jang Yeongsil, but the problem was that Hyang was still alive. A figure who has already disappeared into history becomes a legend more readily than a living, breathing presence before one’s eyes. And over this legend, a battle of pride erupted between Area 51 and Area 52.
“Hmph! Historically speaking, you guys are barely grandsons, not even sons, yet you act so high and mighty!”
When Area 51 boasted about its history, Area 52 retorted like this:
“Hmph! Gathered like sardines on a plot the size of a booger, playing house!”
Area 52 teased the craftsmen of Area 51, boasting of its overwhelmingly vast grounds. In reality, the vastness of Area 52’s land was its greatest advantage. It was routine to test the performance of artillery developed for the Imperial Army in Area 52.
To win this fierce battle of pride, the craftsmen of Area 51 and 52 played another card.
“The number of names listed in the Responses to Challenge Records is…”
When the craftsmen of Area 51 and 52 engaged in a pride battle mentioning the Responses to Challenge Records, the scholars and students from the research institute on business trips wore strange expressions.
“Pfft! The Responses to Challenge Records…”
Hearing such remarks from scholars and students, the craftsmen of Area 51 and 52 shut their mouths tight.
“…Shit…”
“Fuck…”
In the end, only Jang Yeongsil remained.
- It was old man Jang Yeongsil who opened the beginning of Area 51!
- The one who opened Area 52 was also old man Jang Yeongsil! Is that all? The place where the old man is buried is also here!
Both Area 51 and Area 52 put forward Jang Yeongsil as their symbol. And everything went back to square one, repeating endlessly. However, there were times when Area 51 and Area 52 united. One was when securing budgets, and the other was a more fundamental problem.
“Why Area 51 and Area 52? Where are the other 50?”
“Why on earth?”
***
The competition between the mainland and the New Frontier wasn’t limited to Area 51 and 52. Except for the Institute of Science, other research institutes established branches in the mainland as well, and over time, pride battles similar to those between Area 51 and 52 erupted between these institutes. It was a competition over academic achievements and a fight for budget allocation.
As a result, fishing for scholars from Europe and the Middle East using personal and academic connections to secure more outstanding talent and focusing on education became a natural chain reaction.
***
While the craftsmen of Area 51 and 52 competed fiercely, Hyang sought out Wan with a serious expression.
“Your expression is not good.”
“A problem has arisen.”
“What problem? Is it serious?”
“It is serious. A very serious problem.”
At Hyang’s words, Wan’s face also became serious.
“What is it? Please tell me.”
“There was something I had completely forgotten.”
“What is it?”
“The competition.”
“Ah!”
At Hyang’s words, Wan’s face became more serious than ever before. Under Hyang’s leadership, a competition was held with the theme of ‘New Concept Power System.’ It was a competition with no deadline, offering enormous prize money if selected as the winner.
And the Empire announced this competition to the world. From then on, prominent figures from Ming and Japan, as well as Europe and the Middle East, dedicated themselves to the competition. It was a golden opportunity to gain both honor and wealth simultaneously.
“This doesn’t seem like a problem we can end by discussing amongst ourselves.”
“I agree.”
***
Eventually, Hyang and Wan informed Woo of this, and a meeting was held to resolve it.
“Certainly, we had forgotten the competition. However, according to the regulations, wouldn’t it suffice to distribute the prize money equally among all those who participated in the development of this power system?”
At the Prime Minister’s point, Hyang stepped forward to explain the problem.
“That is the principle, but the problem is that an Imperial family member is among those who participated in the development.”
At Hyang’s words, the gaze of everyone present shifted to Wan.
“Surely, unfavorable words will arise. And the result created by the efforts of many will also fail to receive a fair evaluation.”
At Hyang’s words, everyone nodded.
- Emperor Emeritus Wan is the winner? This is clearly corruption!
- Others participated besides the Emperor Emeritus? Then isn’t the Emperor Emeritus just putting his name on it to take credit?
- Isn’t it a trivial power system being highly evaluated just because the Emperor Emeritus is involved?
- Etc., etc….
It was fully predictable what kind of talk would circulate among people. At Hyang’s words, the Deputy Prime Minister offered a positive prediction.
“The possibility is not nonexistent. However, among the subjects of the Empire, there are none who do not know the character of the Grand Emperor Emeritus and the Emperor Emeritus. There will be no one to utter words that would create such discord.”
At the Deputy Prime Minister’s words, the ministers all nodded. However, the words they muttered inwardly were all different.
- Their temperaments aren’t great, but they were always fair in everything.
- The Emperor Emeritus just put his name on it? There isn’t an Imperial citizen who doesn’t know he was scolded for neglecting duties and researching flying machines since his Crown Prince days.
- Was it only the Emperor Emeritus? What about the Grand Emperor Emeritus? Corruption? A passing dog would laugh!
“All subjects of the Empire will not harbor such disloyal thoughts. Please do not worry.”
“That is true.”
“Our subjects might well be so, but what about the words that will come from other countries?”
“…”
At Hyang’s point, the ministers shut their mouths. Moistening his throat for a moment, Hyang continued.
“The only way to solve this is to make it public. Of course, this is also a rule announced along with the competition.”
“We remember.”
“Then there would be no room for misunderstanding in other countries, would there?”
“Here, another problem arises. Technologies related to electricity, which other countries do not yet properly know, will be revealed.”
At Hyang’s words, all ministers understood why Hyang and Wan called it a serious problem. Soon, a debate erupted among the ministers. After fierce arguments, the opinions of the ministers were largely divided into two.
- It is very regrettable to hand over the glory of the competition to others or other countries, but it is right to hide it for the greater national interest!
- No. As seen from the flow so far, no matter how much we hide, eventually everyone finds out or makes something similar! It is more advantageous to disclose it and secure intellectual property rights!
“If considering national interest, wouldn’t it be right to hide it as much as possible until we can’t?”
“Do not think only of immediate benefits! If looking further into the future, disclosure is the best option!”
Amidst the tense confrontation, Woo finally made a decision.
“Hmm… I will ask the Grand Emperor Emeritus. Is it the case that other countries know nothing about electricity?”
“That is not so.”
“If our Empire discloses it, is the possibility high that other countries will immediately catch up and overtake us?”
“It is not high.”
“Lastly, is the engine you intend to disclose the improved version currently being researched?”
“No. It is the one first created and revealed.”
“Hmm…”
Listening to Hyang’s explanation, Woo fell into deep thought. After pondering for a long time, Woo finally reached a conclusion.
“We will disclose it. The reasons are…”
- Whatever the case, the rule is to disclose the winning entry of the competition. Therefore, the rule must be kept.
- The engine to be disclosed is the first one presented. Research is currently underway to have even better performance, and results are coming out one by one, so there is no problem.
- The same goes for electrical technology. If they try to catch up, we just have to go further ahead.
- Lastly, what was the biggest reason for opening the competition? Wasn’t it to obtain more creative ideas? Then disclosure is indeed right.
- The prototype disclosed now is a thing with many deficiencies. As mentioned before, that is why improvement and refinement are continuing even now. Other countries will also immediately recognize the deficiencies upon seeing the prototype and strive to improve them. In that process, there is a high possibility they will find things we missed or couldn’t see.
“…This is absolutely not a loss for us. Therefore, we will disclose it.”
At Woo’s decision, Hyang, Wan, and all ministers agreed. A few days later, the Court Gazette containing content related to the competition was distributed throughout the Empire. And with a time lag, the fact was known to Ming and Japan, and also to Europe and the Middle East.
The reaction people showed was as expected.
“Why is the Emperor Emeritus here? Perhaps?”
“Surely not?”
There were many who whispered about Wan, but rebuttals followed immediately.
“Hey, you! Don’t speak so carelessly! What kind of people are the Grand Emperor Emeritus and the Emperor Emeritus! Weren’t they people who perfectly fit the word ‘fair and just’? Yet you say they did such a senile thing? Tsk!”
Those who had seen Hyang and Wan’s rule during their reigns immediately refuted such whispers. In other countries, including Ming and Japan, the whispering voices were louder, but the result was largely the same. Hyang and Wan, especially Hyang, were reputed as ‘Sage Kings.’
“A person renowned as a sage would not do such a thing.”
“Wasn’t his son also evaluated as outstanding? Then, it’s highly likely to be a false rumor.”
Dismissing the gossip surrounding the competition results, leaders and scholars of other countries showed interest in the result.
“I’m curious what that new power system looks like?”
As if knowing their minds, the Imperial court announced a touring exhibition.
***
“Here is the price list. If necessary, you can also purchase a replica of that power system.”
“Gosh… I’ll go get my wallet.”
“If you’re late, it’s sold out!”
“I’ll come back as fast as possible!”
The Empire, having produced replicas of the prototype, sent them to Ming, Japan, Europe, and the Middle East to hold exhibitions. Whenever an exhibition was held touring various places, it was packed with people.
“Woooah~.”
“Wow~.”
And watching the new power system operate, people exclaimed in admiration. For most people, the new power system was merely a fascinating object, but those directly or indirectly related to technology wore serious expressions.
“The Empire is one step ahead again.”
“The Empire surely has something more advanced than that. Or they are in the middle of developing it.”
“We can’t just stay still.”
Those who made a decision sought out the Imperial citizens at the exhibition hall.
“By any chance, can I obtain the blueprints for that power system?”
“How much are you thinking?”
“Huh?”