The relationship between Italy and Switzerland deepened even further. Most of the overland transportation arteries connecting Northern Europe with Italy and the Mediterranean passed through Switzerland. Consequently, the railway linking Italy to Switzerland brought enormous profits to the Swiss. Seizing the opportunity, the working-level officials of Italy struck an agreement with Switzerland regarding railway management.

The proposal was simple: by jointly managing the iron horses and rails operated by Switzerland, they could reduce costs. Through this agreement, Italy was able to achieve an economy of scale, while Switzerland was able to significantly cut its maintenance expenses. Meanwhile, Switzerland, having confirmed just how profitable the railway was, began to guard its management with their very lives.

This was not a metaphorical expression; it was literal. The Alps in winter were prone to heavy snow and frequent avalanches, and the process of clearing the blocked tracks resulted in a constant stream of casualties. For Switzerland, a country with no significant natural resources or industries, there was no choice but to stake their lives on the railway, their great financial lifeline. Just as their ancestors had once risked their lives as mercenaries for their families, the Swiss now risked their lives for the rails.

***

The region most profoundly affected by this railway was Northern Europe, home of the Hanseatic League. The route from Italy through Switzerland was now fast and safe, thanks to the railway. Its greatest strength was that travel was now possible even in winter, a time when movement had previously been unthinkable. Of course, as soon as one crossed the northern border of Switzerland, the pace of travel slowed to a crawl once more, and travelers had to contend with filthy inns and highwaymen. However, the costs such as customs duties were lower than when passing through France or other routes, and it saved a small amount of time as well.

It was not only the goods of the Empire, Italy, the Ottomans, and India that moved along this route. The culture of the Empire, and the cultures of Italy and Switzerland which had been strongly influenced by it, traveled as well. At some point, the monarchs and intellectuals of the northern European princely states, the united monarchy of Denmark, Norway, and Sweden, Poland, and the Grand Duchy of Moscow began to be ‘Imperialized.’

“Even those country bumpkins in Italy, no, even in Switzerland, seem to be living better than us. We must change, too.”

The movement of intellectuals calling for ‘change and reform’ soon transformed into a political movement. And, as always, this led to a clash with the established powers. In the secular realm, the aristocrats clashed with the royalists. In the religious realm, the sparks of the Reformation began to smolder and send up smoke.

Amidst this turmoil, the shockwave brought about by the Empire’s ironclad warships began to spread throughout Europe.

War is profitable.

The words that the merchants of Naniwa had once chanted like a mantra now began to be heard from the mouths of Imperial officials.

***

News and information about the ironclads that Portugal and Italy had begun to introduce also reached the monarchs of Northern Europe. Upon confirming the information, the Northern European monarchs put their heads together with their ministers.

“Should we also acquire ironclads?”

“It seems we must.”

“We cannot! The budget is the problem.”

“The budget may be a problem, but we must buy what we must buy! Have you forgotten England and Scotland?”

In this period, England and Scotland were still separate countries. And the merchants of the Hanseatic League were reaping considerable profits in Scotland. However, England was gradually breaking away from the Hanseatic League’s sphere of influence and showing independent movement, while its influence over Scotland was also growing stronger. In the end, the first to move was the ‘Kalmar Union’ of Denmark, Norway, and Sweden.

“England is a problem, but the Hanseatic League is also a problem! We will use this opportunity to push out the Hanseatic League!”

And so, from the far-off North Sea, a delegation of envoys set off for Seoul.

***

Upon arriving in Seoul, the envoys immediately entered into consultations.

“How much were you looking to spend?”

If one were to capture the attitude of the working-level officials from the Imperial Ministry of Finance in a single sentence, that would be it. They were polite, but by no means friendly. The reputation of these finance officials was notorious.

“We’re swamped as it is. If you want to buy, buy. If not, leave.”

This notoriety had even reached Hyang’s ears, and he had smacked his lips and muttered to himself.

‘Tsk, this brings back bad memories from my past life. That snooty luxury brand store.’

During his time as a public official, Hyang had once visited a luxury brand boutique in a department store to buy a gift for his parents. But the employee who greeted him was exceptionally rude. In the end, Hyang had bought his parents’ gift at a different store. When he later returned to the boutique in question, the rude employee was nowhere to be seen.

Ultimately, Hyang had written a subtle but sharply worded recommendation to Hyeon.

“Still, they came all this way to buy our products. We should treat them well.”

Even after a personnel shake-up, the ‘how much are you looking to spend?’ attitude persisted. After concluding their consultations with the Imperial Ministry of Finance officials, the envoys of the Kalmar Union wore grave expressions.

“This seems far more expensive than we anticipated.”

“I agree. We expected to be able to buy five ships, but to be told that two is the most we can afford…”

***

The Imperial Ministry of Finance officials, having confirmed the amount the Kalmar Union was able to pay, wore troubled expressions.

“You do wish to acquire ironclads of the same type as those used by the Portuguese and Italian navies, correct?”

“That is correct.”

“With the amount the Union has stated it can pay, two ships are the most you can afford.”

“What? But the information we heard from Portugal and Italy was…”

“Of course, if you consider only the price of the ironclads, you could afford up to five ships. Mathematically speaking, that is.”

“Mathematically?”

“Have you ever operated a ship that moves by steam engine? What about breech-loading cannons?”

“Ah…”

“When you consider the training costs for the crews to operate the ironclads and other expenses, two ships are the best you can do with the budget you’ve stated. Well, you will have a bit of change left over, I suppose.”

“How much change?”

“You would have enough left over for the construction cost of one and a half ironclads, purely speaking.”

“Ugh…”

Faced with a result so far from their expectations, the envoys’ faces fell in utter disappointment.

“We need at least five for France or England to think twice before acting rashly…”

“Do we have to recalculate everything from scratch…?”

“Or perhaps we should give up on the steamships…”

“Giving up is not an option!”

“But think of the maintenance costs! The Imperial officials would not have spoken idly, would they?”

Just as the Kalmar Union envoys were considering scrapping the entire plan, the Imperial officials showed they had no intention of letting them leave empty-handed.

“The ironclad ordered by Japan has just been completed. Would you care to have a look?”

“Japan?”

“It is the same class of ship as the ones ordered by Portugal and Italy.”

“Then we shall go!”

“Let us see it!”

***

After seeing the new ironclad, which had just begun its sea trials at the Wonsan shipyard, the envoys were caught in a dilemma.

“Seeing its performance, it feels like we absolutely must buy it…”

“But two ships are simply not enough.”

As they agonized over the best solution, the envoys turned their gazes to the sea to cool their aching heads. At that moment, as if on cue, two Hae-eung class ships of the line glided past in front of them.

“They’re fast.”

“Fast… wait a moment!”

One of the envoys narrowed his eyes and looked at his colleagues.

“What if we use the remaining funds to purchase Hae-eung class ships?”

“Hmm?”

• The Hae-eung class is a sailing ship. In other words, the training costs can be greatly reduced.
• The Hae-eung class is renowned for its speed and firepower. Its defensive capabilities are also considerable.
• As long as England and France do not convert their entire fleets to ironclads, it is more than serviceable.
• Looking at the examples of Portugal and Italy, they are decommissioning their old warships as their new ironclads enter service. The Empire is likely doing the same.
• In that case, we should be able to acquire a considerable number of reasonably old Hae-eung class ships of the line at a reasonable price.

“It seems like a good idea, but wouldn’t the cannons they carry be a problem?”

“That part is a matter for negotiation! What is the purpose of our mission here? No, what is the reason we are trying to buy ironclads in the first place?”

“Let’s return to Seoul and discuss this further.”

The day after returning to Seoul, the envoys of the Kalmar Union began a new round of negotiations, centered on a proposal to purchase two ironclads and add a number of Hae-eung class ships. Upon receiving the report, Hyeon shook his head lightly.

“Truly, they are the ‘descendants of the money-grubbing Kim Jeom.’”

The finance officials who later heard Hyeon’s assessment could not hide their sense of injustice.

“But the one who set the stage this time was the Emperor Emeritus!”

***

Lim Sunwook and Jang Hang-seon sighed as they listened to the officials’ complaints.

“Hoo… Is it only the Emperor Emeritus? The First Emperor was also a formidable man. He had a real talent for setting the stage and for managing people. Just think of Minister Hwang Hui.”

“I agree. By the way, I used to feel sorry for Minister Hwang Hui, seeing his letter of resignation rejected every time. But now that we are in the same boat… I suppose the saying ‘the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree’ is true.”

“Wouldn’t it be more accurate to say, ‘we learned by watching’? Speaking of which, Minister Jang, was it your eighth time?”

“As of yesterday, it was my eleventh. And you, Minister Lim?”

“The day before yesterday was my tenth.”

The two men, discussing the number of times their resignations had been rejected, shook their heads.

“His Majesty is one thing, but Minister Han and Minister Seong are also truly relentless. To think they haven’t submitted a letter of resignation even once.”

“It’s not just the two of them. I hear that not a single one of the original Gang of Four has submitted a resignation.”

“Truly tenacious people. They might spare a thought for those waiting in line below them.”

The Gang of Four, who had been put through the wringer under Hyang in the old days, were still flying high at the forefront of the administration. The reason they held on to the end was a matter of pride. Their personalities were all different, with their only commonality being their competence, and this had sparked a competition.

“I will never be the first among them to submit my resignation!”

“I will not resign until the day I die!”

“I might get fired, but I will never quit!”

***

Separate from these behind-the-scenes stories, the negotiations between the Empire and the Kalmar Union envoys proceeded smoothly. As a result of the negotiations, two ironclads and three Hae-eung class ships of the line were to be handed over to the Union.

“The three Hae-eung class ships will be handed over as soon as the Union’s sailors arrive. The two ironclads will be constructed in New Frontier and then handed over at the Azores. Would you like to change the location?”

“No, we will receive them at the Azores.”

After confirming minor details such as the delivery schedule and payment methods, the negotiations were concluded, and a treaty was drawn up. As the Kalmar Union envoys began their journey home, the Empire subtly began to spread a rumor.

• The Kalmar Union has purchased Hae-eung class warships in addition to ironclads.

“What? The Hae-eung class?”

“Ah!”

The naval officials of various nations who heard the rumor slapped their knees.

“This is our chance!”

Among the warships of the Imperial Navy, the ship most coveted was the Hae-eung class ship of the line.

• The Assault Turtle Ship? The Empire would sooner melt it down in a blast furnace than sell it.
• The Challenger-class? Damned ruffians. Powerful and tough, but the maintenance costs are too high.
• The Hae-eung class? The best! Fast, with adequate firepower and decent defense. It has issues with its operational range, but in many respects, it is the most useful!
• Conclusion: A combination of a few ironclads supported by Hae-eung class ships means we have nothing to worry about for the time being!

Before long, envoys once again began to flock to Seoul, from nearby Japan, Ryukyu, Dai Viet, and Siam, to as far away as France.