Starting with “Cavalry of the Battlefield,” Anpyeong performed a total of three pieces.

The music pieces titled “Soldier of the Wilderness” and “Battle Cry” were theme songs from famous films known collectively as the “Dollar Trilogy.”

“There’s something heart-pounding about this that’s clearly different from Tang music or native Korean music.”

“Indeed, Your Excellency.”

The percussion that mimicked heartbeats and the piercing tones of the taepyeongso[1] that sounded almost like screams were intensely stimulating and addictive.

Unlike the ministers who merely expressed curiosity or praised its novelty, the military officials, especially those who had participated in the recent war, wore peculiar expressions.

“The sound of the taepyeongso reminds me of the Jurchen bastards’ war cries.”

“I agree completely.”

“It’s similar to the sounds the Japanese pirates used to make.”

This was something Anpyeong had mentioned while refining the pieces under Hyang’s guidance. At the time, Hyang had nodded at Anpyeong’s observation.

“That’s exactly what it’s modeled after. When the Jurchen and Japanese pirates make such sounds, isn’t it their signal for war?”

“Ah…”

Anpyeong nodded at Hyang’s words.

As Hyang said, both the Jurchen tribes and Japanese pirates would let out thunderous war cries when beginning their raids. Those who had suffered great losses and psychological trauma from such attacks would immediately lose their spirit upon hearing these cries, which was exactly what the raiders had intended to exploit.

The Joseon cavalry was similar in this regard. Through continuous battles with the Jurchen and the increasing number of Jurchen joining the Joseon cavalry, they had adopted similar tactics. As a result, during the recent war with Ming, Ming soldiers would often throw down their weapons and flee at the first sound of the Joseon cavalry’s battle cry.

Regardless of its background, Anpyeong’s new music received high praise.

“Excellent! I look forward to your next musical piece!”

“I shall do my utmost, Your Majesty!”

After responding thus, Anpyeong secretly glanced at Hyang. Catching Anpyeong’s gaze, Hyang looked away.

Perhaps we should try the Imperial March next? Wait, we’d need to import brass instruments from Europe for that… Hold on, were the brass instruments I know even invented during this period? If not, I could make them… Ah! I don’t know their structure! Should I put the craftsmen to work?

Having followed this train of thought, Hyang quickly came to his senses and reached a hasty conclusion.

Let’s first check if they exist before planning anything else!

However, as the banquet continued, Hyang’s thoughts wandered again.

If we successfully create the Imperial March, does that make our empire the Evil Empire? Is that how it works?

***

Time passed, and finally, the day came for King Sejong to return to New Frontier.

Hyang accompanied Sejong to Wonsan Port.

Seated in the specially arranged imperial passenger car, Sejong smiled at Hyang who had joined him.

“Ha ha! The Emperor has countless duties to attend to. There’s no need to go to such lengths.”

“This too is part of my duties.”

“I’m grateful.”

Sejong watched Hyang with a pleased expression, knowing he had put aside his work to see him off, then turned to look at the scenery passing by the train window.

“It brings me joy to see the prosperity in our people’s faces.”

“It’s all thanks to the foundation Father Emperor laid so well.”

“Ho ho! I’m grateful for your kind words.”

Sejong responded with an expression mixing embarrassment and pride, then noticed the court historians and scribes diligently recording their conversation.

“Hmm… Emperor.”

“Yes, speak freely.”

“Why aren’t they using typewriters?”

“Pardon?”

“I strongly encouraged the use of typewriters in New Frontier, and found them extremely useful.”

“Ha ha. I too encourage the use of typewriters for general administrative work.”

“Wouldn’t the court historians and scribes benefit most from them? Typewriters would be very useful for quickly and accurately recording court proceedings and events.”

Hyang nodded at Sejong’s words.

“I’ll consider it positively.”

Sejong leaned closer to Hyang and whispered.

“It’s especially good for curbing the historians’ bad habits.”

“Bad habits, you say?”

“The bad habit of writing personal commentaries when they barely have time to record the facts.”

“Ah…”

“In New Frontier, if typing continues long after I’ve finished speaking, it’s almost certainly commentary. After scolding them a few times, that bad habit disappeared completely.”

“Ah…”

Hyang nodded vigorously at Sejong’s words.

Meanwhile, the historians recording the conversation between father and son wrote with gloomy expressions.

-Thus did the King Emeritus strongly recommend the use of typewriters, and His Imperial Majesty graciously accepted this counsel.

The historian notes:

Recording the historians’ commentary (論) in the chronicles is our right. This too is one of the many paths of free speech (言路).

The historians who returned from New Frontier spoke of how direct the King Emeritus’s manner of speaking was. One can well imagine what they must have heard.

It seems I must practice typing again. I should improve my typing speed.

Since ancient times, it has been said that speaking one’s mind prevents trouble.

***

After seeing Sejong off safely from Wonsan, Hyang returned and began governing in earnest.

The King Emeritus’s departure meant that Hyang would now run the country independently, without needing to consider Sejong’s opinions.

The first thing Hyang did upon beginning his independent rule was to prepare for the election of Shimsa-won, Bureau of Auditors[2] members.

“Rome wasn’t built in a day. Let’s start by following the rules we initially established, then identify and improve any shortcomings.”

“We receive your command!”

While handling various matters one by one, Hwang Hui submitted his resignation.

“A resignation?”

“Your humble servant is already past eighty, with ninety years just ahead. Age has made me slow in both thought and action, like an old ox. Therefore, I believe it would be better for someone new to take my place.”

“Hmm…”

Hyang gazed steadily at Hwang Hui.

He has certainly aged, but it’s still too early.

Though he had been involved in various unfortunate incidents, he was still the elder among elders. Moreover, an elder cooperative with the imperial family. Of course, other elder ministers like Kim Jeom could also be considered pro-imperial, but Hyang couldn’t forget the incident with Ryu Jeong-hyeon.

Finally, Hyang reached his decision.

“Denied.”

“Your Majesty! A new heaven has opened! It is only natural for new people to serve under this new heaven!”

“Listen, Prime Minister. I once read a Western scripture that told of a wise king named Solomon’s son, Rehoboam. When he became king, he followed the counsel of young men as you suggest, and his kingdom fell. A new heaven needs both new faces and old wisdom. Therefore, I cannot accept your resignation.”

“But Your Majesty!”

Hwang Hui tried to protest urgently, but Hyang cut him off.

“I clearly remember the promise you made before Father Emperor. Surely you haven’t forgotten that promise?”

“No, I have not forgotten…”

“Then is there anything more to say?”

“…No, Your Majesty.”

In the end, Hwang Hui had to withdraw in tears.

After rejecting Hwang Hui’s resignation, Hyang addressed the officials gathered in the throne hall.

“I know there are several others here who made similar promises to Father Emperor as Minister Bangchon did. The same applies to them. And for anyone else who wishes to resign, bring someone who can fill your position. But there’s a standard: they must be capable enough not to make me click my tongue in disapproval more than three times.”

The elder ministers squeezed their eyes shut and bowed deeply at Hyang’s words.

Whether Hyang or Sejong, their habits when displeased were identical. First, their manner of speech would change.

In Hyang’s case, while he usually addressed elder ministers with respectful endings like ‘-다 (-da)’ or ‘-까 (-kka)?’, when displeased he would switch to the less formal ‘-하오 (-ha-oh)’ as he just did. Sejong would switch from ‘-하오’ directly to the commanding ‘-하라 (-hara)’. If things got worse, their infamous tongue-clicking would follow.

Better to suffer than die!

Damn it! I’ll work until death out of spite!

Hyang’s words continued to fall upon their bowed heads.

“If even that proves difficult, speak up anytime. I’ll arrange positions for you in the Office of Records. How does that sound?”

“We shall do our utmost, Your Majesty!”

“Your response fills me with confidence.”

***

After coordinating various matters, the ministers gradually left Geungjeong Hall.

Outside Geungjeong Gate, Hwang Hui looked up at the sky with a bleak expression and let out a long sigh.

“Phew… Curse them all.”

After naturally letting slip a curse, Hwang Hui spotted Kim Jong-seo heading toward the General Affairs Department and immediately ran over to kick him in the behind.

“Ack! Why are you kicking me?!”

“You fool! If only you had done your job properly!”

“What did I do wrong now?”

“Look at this fool! Open your eyes!”

“That’s why I’m asking why you kicked me!”

As Kim Jong-seo and Hwang Hui’s voices rose, nearby ministers rushed to separate them.

“Stop them! Stop them!”

“Oh my, Ministers! What unseemly behavior! We’re right in front of Geungjeong Hall!”

This entire commotion immediately reached Hyang’s ears, and all the ministers were summoned back to Geungjeong Hall.

“Sigh…”

After letting out a sigh, Hyang called for Hwang Hui and Kim Jong-seo.

“Prime Minister and Minister of General Affairs.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Take ten days to cool your heads at the Office of Records…”

At Hyang’s judgment, Hwang Hui and Kim Jong-seo bowed and responded.

“We are overwhelmed by Your Majesty’s grace.”

This was sincere gratitude. If the Bureau of Audit had stepped in, they would have faced dismissal at best, or exile at worst. But because Emperor Hyang had preemptively made his decision, the Bureau of Audit could not intervene.

***

After this little drama ended, Hyang sighed while reviewing documents in Geungjeong Hall.

“Sigh… Indeed, it’s best to clear away obstacles in advance.”

After muttering to himself, Hyang called for a court eunuch.

“Go and summon Duke Jinpyeong.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Not long after, Jinpyeong entered Geungjeong Hall.

“Your humble servant, Duke Jinpyeong Yi Yu, greets Your Majesty.”

“I apologize for calling you when you must be busy.”

“Not at all, Your Majesty.”

“May I speak informally?”

“As you wish, Your Majesty.”

Once Jinpyeong finished speaking, Hyang relaxed his posture and began.

“Jinpyeong, you need to go to the Northern Territory.”

At Hyang’s words, Jinpyeong’s face lit up and he raised his voice excitedly.

“Your Majesty! Is it finally time?”

“Yes, it’s time. We no longer need to consider Ming’s reactions. Go ahead and lay it all out.”

“Yes, Your Majesty!”

“I should warn you, it won’t be easy. Looking at the current situation, our survey teams have reached the Outer Khingan Mountains (now the Stanovoy Mountains) in the north. But they’ve only reached there. To properly digest this territory as our own and expand further, we need solid support. What do you think is needed to provide that support?”

Jinpyeong immediately answered Hyang’s question.

“Railways and steam engines, Your Majesty!”

“Exactly! Railways and steam engines are essential to make the Northern Territory definitively ours, preventing others from coveting it while enabling our own expansion. Now, show me what you can do for the empire’s thousand-year prosperity!”

At Hyang’s words, Jinpyeong prostrated himself and replied.

“I shall stake my life on this task!”

“I’m counting on you!”

“Please leave it to me, Your Majesty!”