While the newly established Great Han Federal Empire’s administration was busily running under Hyang’s leadership in a continuous cycle of “yesterday and today both requiring overtime,” an urgent dispatch arrived in Hanseong from a challenger-class warship docked at the Mokpo quarantine station.
“Your Majesty, a warship returning from Aden has sent an urgent report,” reported Han Myeong-hoe, who had become Chief Royal Secretary after Hyang became Emperor.
***
When Hyang became Emperor, the Gang of Four were all assigned to the Office of Royal Secretariat[1]. Not only did their department change, but they were also promoted to the ranks of Chief Royal Secretary and Left, Right, and Associate Royal Secretaries. As a result, they had rapidly advanced from section chief to director-level positions.
“While these positions typically require senior executive rank, their limited experience makes director-level more appropriate for now. We’ll adjust their ranks later based on performance.”
With such carrots and sticks – and additional carrots – from Hyang, the Gang of Four had to run themselves ragged.
There was some talk about these unconventional appointments, but Hyang simply ignored it.
“They’ve proven themselves capable through their service. They’re particularly adept at understanding my intentions, making them ideal candidates for Royal Secretariat duties.”
Those who opposed retreated in the face of Hyang’s response. The Royal Secretariat consisted of the Emperor’s closest advisors. Naturally, it made sense to appoint those who worked well with the Emperor.
Moreover, the Gang of Four had been well-trained under Hyang since his days at Seunghwadang.
Meanwhile, Hyang had his own reasons for keeping them close.
I need to prevent them from getting entangled with Jinpyeong. Better to keep them where I can see them than risk trouble later. It’s even better that the four of them keep each other in check. Besides… they’re good at their jobs, aren’t they?
The last reason was the most important to Hyang.
***
“What’s the urgent news?”
“They encountered Western envoys heading from Malacca to Aden during their return journey.”
While Joseon had a naval base in Temasek (the old name for Singapore), Joseon’s trading vessels passed through Malacca. This was because, as the largest trading port used by ships from many nations, it was optimal for rest, resupply, and information exchange.
“And?”
Han Myeong-hoe continued his explanation at Hyang’s question.
“Mehmet II sent an urgent request for assistance along with a personal letter.”
“Urgent assistance?”
“He asked for as many bullets as possible for the Eulshik rifles and hwacha, to be sent as quickly as possible.”
“Hmm…”
As Hyang stroked his chin thoughtfully upon receiving the report, Han Myeong-hoe handed the ship captain’s letter to a court eunuch.
After receiving and reading the letter through the eunuch, Hyang thought for a moment before ordering both the eunuch and Han Myeong-hoe.
“Summon the Prime Minister and both Deputy Prime Ministers. Prepare for a meeting.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
***
Shortly after, Hyang met with Hwang Hui, Kim Jeom, and Ha Yeon in Geungjeong Hall.
“You’ve heard the contents?”
Hwang Hui nodded at Hyang’s question.
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“What do you think?”
Hwang Hui answered Hyang’s question.
“I believe he’s jade (옥, ok).”
Hyang smiled at Hwang Hui’s response.
***
When they first heard Mehmet II’s proposal, Hyang and the court ministers had worn troubled expressions.
“His confidence is remarkable, but whether his abilities match that confidence remains to be seen.”
“He clearly has good judgment. His decisiveness in decision-making proves he possesses kingly talent[2]. However, his competitors surely possess similar talents, so we must carefully distinguish the jade from the stones[3].”
As they struggled to reach a conclusion, Hyang made a suggestion.
“What if we cast some bait?”
“Bait, Your Majesty?”
“Yes.”
Hyang explained his idea of “bait.” Upon hearing it, all the ministers clapped their hands in admiration.
“That’s excellent bait indeed!”
The ministers unanimously accepted Hyang’s proposal.
Watching this, Sejong muttered internally.
That fellow… I wonder if he’ll eventually be known as a villain who manipulates the world from the shadows.
Thus, the bait Hyang offered became Mehmet II’s gift:
- 4,000 Eulshik rifles with 50,000 first-generation bullets, and 5 hwacha with 30,000 second-generation rounds.
The numbers seemed impressive at first glance. However, anyone with sense could see how inadequate these quantities were.
Even 50,000 first-generation bullets only meant 12 rounds per Eulshik rifle. Similarly, the 30,000 second-generation rounds only provided 6,000 shots per hwacha[4].
Just looking at the Eulshik rifles should tell the story. It’s barely enough for training if done properly, or maybe one desperate charge if conserved. The hwacha might last one battle at most?
Hyang recalled a war movie from the 21st century showing Soviet soldiers at Stalingrad being issued one five-round clip between two men as they charged German positions.
The same applied to the hwacha. Even for a hand-operated machine gun, 6,000 rounds could be expended in moments.
In other words, Joseon intended to observe how Mehmet II would handle this “numerical trap” before making further decisions.
***
Hwang Hui explained his thoughts to Hyang.
“Considering when they met in Malacca, Mehmet II must have rushed there at full speed. This shows he immediately recognized our ‘trap.’ However, instead of turning back or stopping at Dongfan Island or Temasek, he waited for our returning ship at Malacca, indicating his intention to avoid diplomatic complications. Moreover, requesting ammunition before the weapons themselves shows his excellent ability to identify priorities and make decisions. In conclusion, I believe the odds of winning this gamble are very high.”
Kim Jeom and Ha Yeon nodded at Hwang Hui’s words.
Even for soon-to-be-retired weapons, their value was not insignificant. Therefore, they needed to avoid betting on poor cards.
And judging by the situation so far, Mehmet II seemed to be quite a good hand.
Nodding at Hwang Hui’s response, Hyang immediately issued orders.
“Then let’s prepare ships and send him what he wants.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Watching Hwang Hui’s response, Hyang suddenly appeared to remember something and added:
“Ah! This time, tell them to be rather conspicuous when loading and moving the goods.”
“Pardon?”
“We need to show those who are still testing the waters that ‘if you’re late, you won’t be able to buy even if you want to.'”
After briefly looking confused at Hyang’s words, Hwang Hui, Kim Jeom, and Ha Yeon soon realized his meaning and burst into laughter.
“Haha! Brilliant!”
“Haha!”
“Haha! Indeed it is!”
***
After the meeting, Han Myeong-hoe delivered the content to the Royal Secretariat to prepare formal documentation of Hyang’s orders.
“Isn’t this dangerous?”
Ha Wi-ji looked up at Han Myeong-hoe with a tilted head while formatting the content properly.
“What’s dangerous?”
“Well, isn’t it principle to transport supplies secretly? That way we can avoid those with ill intentions targeting the supplies. But these orders are completely opposite to that.”
At this principled observation typical of Ha Wi-ji, Han Myeong-hoe smiled slightly and replied.
“Are there still any fools brave enough to mess with our empire’s warships?”
“Couldn’t some country, overcome by greed, cause trouble while disguised as pirates?”
Gwon Ram countered Ha Wi-ji’s concern.
“Whether intentional or coincidental, if such a thing happened, that country would have to forget about sailing the seas. The empire’s navy wouldn’t let it slide. Why else do you think we built bases so far out on the ocean?”
Han Myeong-hoe and Seong Sam-mun nodded at Gwon Ram’s words.
***
This was precisely why the empire’s navy had such a fearsome reputation in the seas east of Africa.
The empire’s ships themselves were unmatched in combat power along the trade routes.
Additionally, imperial naval bases were stationed at key points along the shipping lanes.
If attacked by pirates, merchant ships of any nationality would make desperate attempts to reach these naval bases. If they successfully reached an imperial naval base or encountered an imperial warship nearby and reported the situation, the pirates would then have to abandon their bases and make desperate attempts to flee.
This was because the persistent imperial navy would invade their bases and reduce them to wasteland. Once a pirate base was identified, the imperial navy would make regular visits to deliver gifts of cannon fire.
As a result, most pirates around Malacca, Malaya, and Luzon had to choose different occupations—becoming fishermen or merchant sailors.
***
“Hmm… I see your point.”
As Ha Wi-ji withdrew with an embarrassed expression, Gwon Ram continued speaking.
“While transportation isn’t a concern, I honestly worry whether making such a show is really alright.”
“What do you mean?”
“Our empire has publicly announced selling 50,000 Eulshik rifles along with significant numbers of hwacha and artillery. By my guess, this conspicuous movement is meant to prompt those who’ve been hesitating with domestic excuses to act quickly. They’ll think there’s not much left, so they need to move fast. And while buying, they’ll try to purchase even more.”
Han Myeong-hoe nodded at Gwon Ram’s words.
“His Majesty and the ministers thought the same.”
Gwon Ram pointed out a potential issue.
“What if the countries that agreed to buy Eulshik rifles from us notice? That we’re selling far more than 50,000 rifles. Mightn’t they ask for price reductions since supply exceeds demand?”
As soon as Gwon Ram finished, Seong Sam-mun jumped in.
“How would they know? Unless they sit at the harbor and count every rifle sold to other countries by opening each crate, they can’t know. And that’s something they can’t do even if they want to—it would be a serious diplomatic offense. In other words, unless we tell them, they can’t know even if they want to.”
“Maejukheon is right.”
Han Myeong-hoe nodded and continued as soon as Seong Sam-mun finished.
“Unless our empire announces it, they won’t know how many we’re selling. They only know about the ‘50,000 rifles’ and will learn that this Ottoman country bought an enormous quantity. Then, as you said, Sohandang, they’ll rush to secure their share within what they believe is a limited supply. They’ll pay promptly too.”
Gwon Ram shook his head at Han Myeong-hoe’s words.
“I understand that. But my concern is whether they’ll truly remain ignorant of this fact.”
Han Myeong-hoe snorted at Gwon Ram’s words.
“Hmph! And what if they do find out?”
“Won’t they ask for price reductions?”
“Then we simply won’t sell. It’s not like we begged them to buy, is it? And would they buy from Ming instead because of the price? When neighboring countries are all trying to arm themselves with our empire’s weapons, would they choose clearly inferior products? Just because they’re cheaper?”
“…”
Gwon Ram fell silent at Han Myeong-hoe’s words.