Woo meticulously checked the report drafted by the working-level staff of the Ministry of Finance and Economy and asked a question.
“This part here… I understand that 35% of the expected required funds is the maximum. But the standard for finding this answer is said to be the size of merchant ships. Is this based on our Empire’s merchant ships?”
“As stated in the report, yes, Your Majesty.”
At the Prime Minister’s answer, Woo continued his questioning.
“It is well known that the merchant ships our Empire operates in the ocean are larger than those of other countries. Even the prideful Ming acknowledges this. The typical merchant ship of European powers is at most half the size of an Imperial merchant ship. Considering this, wouldn’t Europe object, saying it’s excessive? Criticism could arise that the Empire is applying unfair pressure to secure more interests.”
At Woo’s point, the Prime Minister stepped forward to answer.
“Such talk may arise, but a canal is a construction project that requires a lot of money regardless of its size. In that case, it is advantageous to build it as large as possible at the time of agreement.”
“Isn’t there also a way to build it small first and gradually increase the size over time?”
“Once that canal opens, many ships will come and go. But if we block the waterway saying we’re doing construction, there will be tremendous backlash. It is better to open it as large as possible from the beginning.”
Following the Prime Minister, the Right Vice-Premier added his words.
“Also, to add more, European ships are also gradually increasing in size. Considering the speed at which ships are growing and the time it takes to construct the canal, it is profitable to make it large from the beginning.”
At the explanation of the Right Vice-Premier, Woo nodded, but on the one hand, he couldn’t hide his uneasiness.
- I’ve always had headaches regarding the budget…
Woo had almost no memories of things going well regarding the budget. Regarding budget allocation and execution, the following saying was passed down as an official unofficial saying.
- The guy who says it’s not enough, the guy who says it’s excessive, and the guy in the middle with a headache.
The front lines always whined that the budget was insufficient, the budget department cut it saying it was excessive, and those stuck in the middle were likened to a headache-inducing situation while being pushed around here and there.
- But, it’s certainly not an unreasonable story.
“Hmm… It makes sense. Good. Then proceed with the negotiations referencing this report.”
“We obey your command.”
“Keep in mind that you must protect the Empire’s national interest as much as possible.”
“We will keep it in mind.”
However, not long after, Woo and all the ministers sighed because of a single note delivered from Sugang Palace.
***
Hearing the news that an envoy had arrived to ask about participation in the Suez Canal construction, Hyang smiled a small, bitter smile.
“Is ‘some things are destined to happen’ truly the truth? The Suez Canal is indeed being dug again.”
Then, checking the report from the Ministry of Finance, Hyang rummaged through the books he had placed aside and pulled out a thin book.
“A good grandfather should grant his grandson’s request. The problem is that it’s not an easy task…”
After pondering for a moment, Hyang ordered the eunuch.
“Go and bring the Emperor Emeritus.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
A moment later, when Wan arrived, Hyang got straight to the point.
“The Grand Emperor (Hyeon) left this request.”
“The Grand Emperor did? “
Wan, taking the book Hyang held out, examined the title first.
“Minimum Standard Requirements for the Canal to be Built in Suez? Why is the title so long? Anyway, did he anticipate this matter in advance?”
“Wasn’t the rumor about the canal circulating even before the succession war broke out in the Ottoman Empire? Naturally, it was a predictable event.”
“That is true.”
Nodding his head, Wan opened the book and began to read.
“The width of the canal must be large enough for two ships of the size specified below to cross simultaneously. Or, it must consist of two canals of a size where one ship of the size specified below can move comfortably one way. Hmm… Up to here, there doesn’t seem to be much of a problem.”
Wan showed a positive reaction.
“Thinking of railways, double tracks are indeed better.”
***
Since constructing railways, the Empire had planned based on double-tracking. Whether it was the vast Northern Territories, the Northeastern forest region with its harsh natural environment, or the New Frontier incomparable even to the unparalleled Northern Territories, once they started laying tracks, laying double tracks unconditionally was the basic rule.
“For rapid completion and budget reduction, single track is the best option!”
Appeals arguing that single tracks were better than double tracks flooded in, but Sejong and Hyang did not accept them.
“Looking at the circumstances of the places where the railway goes, double tracks are the best! No, looking at our current circumstances, double tracks are the only answer!”
This was not Sejong and Hyang’s stubbornness but a reflection of unavoidable reality.
First was due to the limitations of communication means.
Unless control was possible with real-time communication back and forth, single tracks had a far higher risk of collision accidents than double tracks.
Second was the problem of budget and territory.
The budget was limited, and the Empire’s territory was continuously expanding.
Therefore, adopting a loop line that could circulate the territory once even with a single track was impossible. Only double tracks could operate the railway most efficiently.
***
“If he had already anticipated it, wouldn’t it have been better to leave this to the Emperor instead of you, Imperial Father?”
At Wan’s point, Hyang answered immediately.
“Take a look at the size of the ship the Grand Emperor set as the standard.”
“Yes? Let’s see…”
Turning the pages to examine the records regarding the ship in question, Wan suddenly spat out a curse.
“This crazy…!”
The standards Hyeon set were as follows:
- Length: Approx. 60 jang (approx. 180m)
- Hull Width: Approx. 7 jang (approx. 21m)
- Deck Width: Approx. 8 jang (approx. 24m)
- Weight: Approx. 2.66 million gwan (approx. 11,000 tons)
It was a size larger than the Assault Turtle Ship, famous for its large size. No, it was larger than the ships the Imperial Navy was currently building or planning to operate in the Great Inland Sea and the Atlantic.
“No, would the Great Inland Sea cruiser currently being planned have a similar size? Anyway!”
Barely regaining his thoughts from wandering off, Wan examined the records meticulously. On the next page after recording the ship’s size in numbers, there was a projected drawing of the ship drawn by Hyeon himself. Checking the drawing, Wan looked at Hyang.
“This guy, after making such fussing noises, did he finally come up with an aircraft carrier?”
“Indeed.”
“This guy… He must be in the middle of making it in the New Frontier right now.”
“Likely so.”
At Hyang’s answer, Wan sighed.
“Phew~. I understand why this guy couldn’t leave this to Woo. Even if Woo is Emperor, he has just become Emperor. The burden is too great to pass this.”
“Right.”
“So what will you do? Even if you are the Grand Emperor Emeritus, this is quite unreasonable.”
At Wan’s words, Hyang smiled brightly and answered, ”When a grandson who listened well all this time begs for his wish, shouldn’t a grandfather exert himself even if it becomes a hardship?”
At Hyang’s words, Wan, thinking of something, responded, ”Then I should block this for my grandson as well, shouldn’t I?”
Since it was certain that even if Hyang stepped forward, a great burden would fall on Woo, Wan tackled him. However, Hyang immediately countered, ”Since ancient times, following parents’ words well is the basis of filial piety. And the Imperial family must become a model for the people. Aren’t you, the Emperor Emeritus, my son?”
“…Understood.”
Seeing Wan waving the white flag, Hyang offered a reward.
“Don’t look at it only so negatively. We have to make a flying machine that can take off and land on the carrier anticipated by the Grand Emperor, and that too while carrying self-propelled rockets. Wouldn’t it be fun?”
“It is certain to be fun, but I am still worried. Just thinking about the budget needed to match that is terrible. In a way, it can be seen as picking a fight to overturn the table. Not only to other countries but even to the eyes of the Empire’s Prime Minister and Ministers.”
“Our Empire isn’t the only country to provide funds, is it? Aren’t there one or two countries whose stomachs hurt watching the Suez Railway now? There’s one right next door too.”
At Hyang’s words, Wan’s eyes sparkled.
“Are you speaking of Ming?”
“Indeed.”
“Hmm…”
Pondering for a moment, Wan smiled slightly and nodded.
“It seems it will be fun. It seems they will be a very good opponent against France.”
“I agree.”
***
Receiving the document sent by Hyang and Wan who joined hands, Woo and the ministers all sighed simultaneously without exception.
“Phew,”
“Haa~.”
Amidst sighs bursting from all directions, Woo asked the Prime Minister, ”If we construct the canal according to this standard, how much more budget do you think it will take?”
“I will have it calculated. However, at least two to three times is certain.”
“Will Europe accept it?”
“It is certain they will hear it as a declaration of war. We will also spend more budget, but the same goes for them. And considering their household economies, they might hear it not just as a suggestion to overexert themselves, but as a suggestion to drop out.”
Following the Prime Minister’s answer, the Minister of Foreign Affairs continued, ”The Prime Minister spoke as if joking, but this is likely to be heard as fighting words. The Grand Emperor Emeritus mentioned ‘Ming’s participation,’ but this is not an easy task. Among the sayings circulating in the market, there is ‘Too many boatmen make the boat go to the mountain.’ The more people sharing interests, the harder the coordination and the more conspiracies arise.”
Next, the Minister of Finance and Economy addressed Woo.
“It is presumptuous to say, but this subject risks his life to speak. Just this once, you must not accept the opinion offered by the Grand Emperor Emeritus and the Emperor Emeritus.”
“Huh~.”
As the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Minister of Finance opposed following the Prime Minister, Woo placed a hand on his forehead and sighed. At that time, the Minister of National Defense, who had remained silent, intervened in the conversation.
“As this subject ponders, the proposal offered by the Grand Emperor Emeritus and the Emperor Emeritus is not bad for us. Especially for the Imperial Navy, it is a very good proposal.”
“Hm? Explain in more detail.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
The summary of the Minister of National Defense’s explanation was as follows:
- Looking at the current situation of the Imperial Navy, it is divided into a fleet defending the East Sea of the New Frontier, a fleet in charge of the Great Inland Sea, and a fleet defending the route from the Mainland to Suez.
- With the Atlantic and the Great Inland Sea blocked by the New Frontier, the Imperial Navy maintains a fleet larger than necessary.
- If the Imperial fleet can move through Suez, the Imperial fleet can maintain the fleet at an appropriate level.
“As the saying goes, the more the better; isn’t it better to have more fleets?”
At the Prime Minister’s point, the Minister of National Defense answered briefly.
“There is also the saying about putting the cart before the horse.”
As the Prime Minister shut his mouth, the Minister of National Defense continued his explanation.
- Considering the large warships of the Imperial Navy currently operating and the size of the large warships to come in the future, the specifications proposed by the Grand Emperor Emeritus and the Emperor Emeritus now are very good.
“…Therefore, this subject believes we should accept the proposal of the two.”
“Hmm…”
The Minister of National Defense’s story ended, but Woo did not open his mouth easily. Woo, who kept silent for a long time, suddenly looked bad and clicked his tongue.
“Tsk.”