Woo and the ministers, receiving the envoys’ report, all made dumbfounded expressions.
“Have the ones called ministers of Ming not even learned history? No, they would have known just by asking the elders of their own families without needing to go as far as history? What? They oppose because they are scared we might attack? When did we ever attack first! Weren’t they the ones who started wars rashly first!”
At Woo’s words, the Minister of Foreign Affairs stepped forward and answered.
“It seems that rather than the fact that they started the war first, only the memory of suffering at the hands of our Empire through that war remains.”
“So they refuse like that?”
“That is correct.”
“Hmm…”
As Woo stroked his chin and shut his mouth at the Minister of Foreign Affairs’ words, the Minister of National Defense stepped forward.
“If the railway is connected like that, we will be close to each other, and if that happens, we will be able to know the opponent’s movements a bit faster. Ming might be making excuses because of that part.”
“Excuses? Excuses, you say…”
At the Minister of National Defense’s words, Woo’s face became serious again. The Minister of Foreign Affairs’ words sounded reasonable, and the Minister of National Defense’s words also sounded reasonable. No, the Minister of National Defense’s words touched his heart more. They had already fought two wars with Ming. Furthermore, after the reign of the current Emperor, no, even during his reign, war could break out. Because it was Ming.
Perhaps noticing Woo’s mind, the Minister of National Defense raised his voice.
“Therefore, it is better not to connect the railway!”
As the Minister of National Defense raised his voice in opposition once again, the Minister of Finance struck back.
“For that same reason, we must connect the railway! If the railway is connected, we can use it as an excuse to deploy troops closer, and we can detect Ming’s movements faster! What is this if not preparedness preventing calamity!”
“Look here! Lord Minister!”
“Why! Did I say anything wrong? Didn’t all military strategy books say that knowing the enemy’s situation in advance is important!”
“Are you discussing military strategy in front of me right now?”
“And you, my lord? Are you discussing budget in front of me?”
As the voices of the Minister of Finance and the Minister of National Defense began to turn ugly again, Woo hurriedly intervened.
“Stop! Restrain yourselves, my lords! Have you forgotten where this place is!”
“Your grace is immeasurable.”
“Your grace is immeasurable.”
At Woo’s reprimand, the Minister of Finance and the Minister of National Defense bowed their heads and apologized.
“I know well that you lords raise your voices thinking of the country. However, think well of the time and place. Keep this in mind. And… I won’t stop the debate. But I hope you keep the rules handed down from the time of the Founding Emperor (Sejong).”
“We shall keep it in mind.”
“We shall keep it in mind.”
“Then, Prime Minister.”
Having organized the situation for now, Woo called the Prime Minister. The called Prime Minister bowed his head and answered.
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“Looking at Ming’s actions, I think their audacity knows no bounds And the Minister of National Defense’s words are also reasonable. However, I think we should continue to push the Minister of Finance’s proposal. Because we have already prepared countermeasures for the Ministry of National Defense’s worries last time. Therefore, Prime Minister, prepare and submit a plan to persuade Ming. How many days will you need?”
At Woo’s question, the Prime Minister calculated for a moment and reported to Woo.
“….Please give me ten days.”
“Understood. I want to hear it within ten days.”
“I will do my best.”
“Then let us end here for today.”
As the meeting ended, the ministers, especially the Ministers of Finance, Foreign Affairs, and National Defense, scurried to the Prime Minister and said a word each.
“Only ten days?”
“Ten days is a bit tight…”
“Ten days, ten days… Tsk…”
The Prime Minister, gazing blankly at the ministers’ reactions, opened his mouth.
“Then you lords should have stepped up and asked for more time. Is your sleep comfortable only after hearing the sound of tongue-clicking? Especially the Minister of Finance and Minister of National Defense! Today’s events happened because of you lords, yet you sit there complaining? These people, really!”
“Whoa, whoa… Calm down, my lord.”
“Whoa, whoa? Do I look like some neighborhood foal right now!”
The Minister of National Defense and the Minister of Finance had to sweat profusely for running their mouths wrong once.
***
Meanwhile, Woo, who sought Sugang Palace again, told Hyang and Wan about today’s events and asked.
“…..Therefore, I thought accepting the Ministry of Finance’s opinion aligned more with the Empire’s interests, so I decided to continue proceeding. Did I perhaps make a mistake?”
“No, you did not make a mistake.”
“There is no mistake.”
At Woo’s question, Hyang and Wan answered simultaneously. Then, Wan, receiving a signal from Hyang’s eyes, continued.
“It is a decision the Emperor made thinking of the country’s interests. And the ministers are striving to make that decision bring good results. Therefore, Emperor, do not be anxious or unconfident about making decisions. If the Emperor does so, the ministers will also become so, and eventually, the country will shake.”
“I shall keep it in mind.”
“Of course, that absolutely does not mean to decide carelessly and randomly. You must make a decision after sufficient deliberation. And once a decision is made, you just do your best for success.”
“I shall keep it in mind.”
Woo, hearing Wan’s advice, returned with a bright face. Wan, watching Woo returning with a much lighter gait, looked back at Hyang.
“It seems the burden of this matter was quite heavy.”
At Wan’s words, Hyang nodded.
“Since he had to decide such a matter not long after ascending to the throne, the burden must be great. Because nothing involving Ming is light.”
“That is correct.”
At Hyang’s words, Wan nodded. Subjectively or objectively, Ming was a truly burdensome opponent. Although they achieved victory in both past wars, all Emperors of the Empire starting from Sejong considered this good fortune. Even Hyang.
“Of course, we were preparing steadily in advance before that… But there is no law that we win unconditionally. Victory in war is seven parts luck and three parts skill. Especially against Ming.”
Since even Hyang was like this, all subsequent Emperors had no choice but to be tense regarding issues related to Ming. Hyang, returning to his room alone, wore a strange expression.
“Doesn’t the relationship between the Empire and Ming right now feel like a carbon copy of the US-Soviet relationship? The situation of glaring at each other in fear, saying ‘We don’t know when that guy will strike first!’.”
***
While everyone was moving busily to complete the task Woo had given, a group of soldiers and officials were tilting their heads in one corner of the Ministry of National Defense.
“Huh? I remember seeing this somewhere…”
“Right? I’ve seen this somewhere too!”
“Me too, me too!”
What they were confused about, feeling a sense of déjà vu, was the ‘Rockfall Wall’ item.
“I’ve definitely seen it!”
The soldiers and officials in charge of the ‘Rockfall Wall’ plan immediately went to the Ministry of National Defense’s archives and the Office of Records and searched through records.
“Found it!”
“As expected, it was there!”
The soldiers and officials who found the document in question had bright faces and examined the record in more detail.
“Hm? ‘Impossible?”
“This was impossible?”
“What is the reason!”
Surprised that a plan they saw as truly useful had been judged impossible in the past, the soldiers and officials checked the reason for impossibility and smacked their lips.
“‘Budget shortage’ and ‘technology shortage’…”
“So it was premature… Haa…”
***
When Sejong was just proceeding with the Reformation, Hyang had proposed this rockfall wall. Sejong also judged it very useful and ordered its installation. However, not long after, this rockfall wall installation was scrapped. The reasons were ‘budget shortage’ and ‘technology shortage’.
At the time, mass production of both reinforced bars and lime-bamboo concrete, the main materials of the rockfall wall, had just begun. Therefore, both materials had considerable price tags attached. Furthermore, since demand was already overflowing in other areas, the priority of the rockfall wall had to be pushed back continually.
Secondly, the quality of the reinforced bars and lime-bamboo concrete produced with the technology of that time was a problem. The artisans of Area 51 who were in charge at the time had submitted a report containing a very negative evaluation.
- 10 years, which is 1/3 of the originally planned expected lifespan of 30 years, is the best we can do.
Eventually, the rockfall wall installation plan was canceled.
***
The officials who checked the records of that time put their heads together.
“Looking at the reasons for cancellation at the time, they are correct problems, right? How about now?”
“Confirmation is needed.”
“If we make a mistake, the Ministry of Finance guys will definitely come and make a fuss, so let’s tap (check) everything before going.”
The officials immediately visited the Ministry of Land Development and Area 51 to enter verification work. The working-level staff of the Ministry of Land Development and the artisans of Area 51, receiving the questions, rummaged through file binders and answered.
“Now, we can easily guarantee 30 years?”
“We can make it endure 30 years sufficiently.”
The faces of the Ministry of National Defense officials brightened at the positive answers but became serious again.
“By any chance, does it cost a lot to maintain that lifespan?”
“These days, the average guaranteed lifespan of iron-inserted lime-bamboo (reinforced concrete) comes out to 30 years.”
“This is just a matter of doing quality control well.”
“Thank you!”
As even the budget problem was solved, the Ministry of National Defense officials returned to the Ministry with the brightest expressions.
“Now! We’ve crossed the biggest hurdle, so let’s write the proposal quickly!”
“Let’s do that!”
“By the way… Even the Grand Emperor Emeritus makes such mistakes?”
“Indeed.”
While everyone was marveling at Hyang’s mistake, someone in the corner muttered quietly.
“Is that really so? Is it correct that the Grand Emperor Emeritus committed a mistake? Perhaps…”
Instantly, the office became quiet. Everyone who had been rejoicing just a moment ago wore serious expressions and fell into thought.
Perhaps…
***
Time passed, and the ‘Rockfall Wall Construction’ proposal written by the Ministry of National Defense went up to Woo. Simultaneously, rumors regarding Hyang’s mistake related to the rockfall wall also came up.
“…..Therefore, upon checking, it was an item the Grand Emperor Emeritus had already planned during his days as Crown Prince.”
“Was that so?”
At Woo’s words, Hyang made a sheepish expression and laughed exaggeratedly.
“Hahahaha! My, my, I must have aged indeed. To think I forgot even though I talked about it. Haa…”
Sighing lightly, Hyang continued.
“Since it was when I was Crown Prince, wasn’t it decades ago? It’s understandable to forget. Anyway, experiencing this, I think creating the Office of Records was a truly well-done thing. Don’t you think so?”
“That is correct.”
“It is indeed.”
Wan and Woo’s mouths answering Hyang’s chatter were smiling, but their eyes were not.
Because both had heard the conspiracy theory in question.
Of course, considering the Grand Emperor Emeritus’s age, he might have forgotten. But, he has never forgotten until now, yet he forgot this?
He forgot a proposal he made himself, not one made by others? Ay, surely not!
Perhaps, because it was a rockfall wall everyone had forgotten, he did it on purpose?
Perhaps, because there are those doubting the utility of the Office of Records these days, he did it on purpose?
Wan and Woo’s minds began to lean more and more toward the conspiracy theory.
This is something the Grand Emperor Emeritus did on purpose!
Meanwhile, Hyang was continuing to grumble inwardly.
Ah, seriously! I really forgot!
Hyang had been dejected when the rockfall wall plan was scrapped at the time. However, not long after, Hyang went around actively with even more vigor.
The rockfall wall is a pity, but there are still overflowing things to geek out over!
As he planned and carried out many things after that, Hyang had completely forgotten the rockfall wall. Therefore, Hyang, hearing the conspiracy theory that came out this time, felt genuinely wronged.
“It’s unfair!”