With these considerations in mind, Hyang immediately approved the negotiation proposal submitted by Heo Hu.

The Ryukyuan envoy, judging they had achieved the best possible outcome, raised his voice while bidding farewell to Hyang.

“Your Imperial Majesty’s grace is boundless! Our nation shall never forget Your Majesty’s benevolence and the Empire’s goodwill. The trust between our two nations shall endure forever!”

“We too pray it shall be so.”

“It shall most certainly be thus!”

After making another firm pledge with a deep bow at Hyang’s words, the envoy backed out of Geunjeongjeon Hall.

Upon exiting, the envoy sought final confirmation from Heo Hu, who had accompanied him for the farewell.

“The military equipment and garrison troops the Empire promised to provide will definitely come, won’t they?”

“Indeed. As I said before, once the agreement is properly signed through our envoy accompanying the garrison troops, things will proceed immediately. However, if the signing falls through, our people will return right then and there.”

The envoy responded instantly, “That will absolutely not happen!”

“It had better not.”

Not long after the Ryukyuan envoy’s departure, the Empire began to move in earnest.

These movements naturally caught the attention of foreign merchants and officials staying at Mokpo Trading Port, and reports began flowing back to their respective countries.

During this process, a peculiar consensus began forming among the foreign officials at the trading port:

“We need permanent diplomatic officials stationed in Seoul, the Empire’s capital.”

Until now, small contingents of officials had been stationed at Mokpo, the major trading port. However, these officials were mostly interpreters rather than high-ranking bureaucrats with decision-making authority.

While the Empire also had interpreters, other countries stationed their own interpreters who could speak the Imperial language to minimize their losses.

Foreign interpreters began being stationed at the trading port toward the end of the Military Reforms.

This coincided with Joseon’s emergence as a rising power in international trade.

Following Sejong’s enthusiastic adoption of Hyang’s proposal, the Office of Interpreters trained linguists not only in Ming and Japanese but also in the languages of other nations trading with Joseon.

These newly trained interpreters differed significantly from their predecessors – they weren’t mere translators but were extensively educated in the culture and laws of their assigned countries.

These interpreters worked to maximize Joseon’s interests not only at Mokpo Trading Port but also at various trading ports in other countries.

Seeing this, other countries began training their own interpreters in the Joseon language.

These trained interpreters stayed at Mokpo Trading Port, assisting their national merchant groups and mediating disputes when they arose.

Upon receiving documents from their interpreters detailing these matters, various courts began serious deliberations.

Regardless of East or West, good relations between bordering nations were extremely rare.

Not only had Joseon brought Ming to its knees and transformed into the Great Han Federal Empire as the region’s dominant power, but it had also become a supplier of cutting-edge weapons.

Therefore, it became crucial to learn as quickly as possible about any developments between the Empire and other nations, especially those with poor relations with one’s own country.

This necessitated stationing officials of suitable rank in the Empire’s mainland, specifically in the capital.

Nations reaching this conclusion began sending envoys to Seoul to negotiate these arrangements.

Meanwhile, Norihiro, who had just arrived at the Japanese quarter in Busan Port, clicked his tongue upon hearing rumors about various dealings between Ryukyu and the Empire.

“Damn… we’re too late.”

For the previous head Morimi, current Shogun Mochiyori, and Norihiro, “Leaving Japanese Ways for Joseon Customs”[1] was their earnest wish.

This wasn’t simply about escaping Japan’s backward old ways to become an advanced nation like Joseon.

Their goal was to shed the old ways, achieve strong centralization, and then expand their influence to become a great power like Joseon.

The first step of centralization was nearly complete through the establishment of the shogunate.

They were currently negotiating with the Empire to suppress the remaining insolent ones who still dared to oppose them.

After completing this internal consolidation, they planned to build their strength and expand beyond Japan’s borders.

The problem was that Ryukyu was essential for such external expansion.

For Japan, Ryukyu held value beyond being merely a waypoint. This was due to one of Japan’s unexpected weaknesses.

Japan lacked the technology to build large ships. Consequently, they had no long-distance navigation techniques.

While they did have tribute ships that carried envoys to Ming, these vessels were smaller than those operated by Joseon or Ming during the same period.

However, Ryukyu, which traded not only with Ming but also with Southeast Asian nations like Dai Viet and Siam, possessed both large shipbuilding technology and long-distance navigation techniques.

Therefore, Japan absolutely needed to acquire Ryukyu. Yet before they could act, Ryukyu had slipped under the Empire’s shadow.

As he clicked his tongue in regret, Norihiro spat out a crude Korean curse.

“Shit! Damn those Shimazu bastards!”

Arriving in Seoul by train from Dongnae, Norihiro paid his respects to Hyang at Geunjeongjeon Hall.

“You must be tired from your journey. I hope you achieve favorable results.”

“Your Imperial Majesty’s grace is boundless!”

After his audience with Hyang, Norihiro continued discussions with Heo Hu at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

“Well, has a decision been reached?”

At Heo Hu’s question, Norihiro carefully began speaking.

“Yes. It was concluded that accepting the Empire’s proposal was appropriate in broad terms.”

“Broad terms?”

As Heo Hu slightly furrowed his brow, Norihiro quickly continued.

“The licensing fees are too excessive!”

“Excessive? Two Imperial silver taels for each Eulshik firearm and ten Imperial silver taels for each Eulshik artillery piece? Do you know how much new ones cost?”

“Of course, it’s much cheaper than buying new ones, but don’t we also have to purchase steel for making the firearms and artillery, and copper plates containing primer powder? You must consider these aspects too!”

To Norihiro’s protest, Heo Hu coldly countered, “How much does it cost to produce that grade of steel in Japan? No, can you even produce it?”

“…”

Norihiro fell silent at Heo Hu’s pointed question.

Heo Hu’s observation hit a painful truth.

It was common knowledge that Japan’s iron-making technology lagged one to two generations behind Ming and Joseon.

Despite this, Japanese swords were famously superior even in China and Joseon. However, these were masterpieces created through individual swordsmiths’ utmost efforts and absolutely impossible to mass-produce.

Consequently, only renowned samurai and lords could possess such superior Japanese swords, while low-ranking warriors and common soldiers had to make do with low-quality swords or spears in battle.

This background explained why an Ōuchi clan master swordsman had marveled at Joseon’s Sushong guns imported for fighting the Muromachi shogunate.

“The steel quality is this good for weapons given to dozens, hundreds of soldiers! Steel suitable for making famous swords is this abundant!”

Finally acknowledging their backward technology level once again, the Ōuchi focused their efforts on kidnapping Ming craftsmen during the war between Joseon and Ming.

Despite successfully bringing Ming craftsmen and their families to Japan through such efforts, Shogun Mochiyori couldn’t be happy.

“Mass-producing quality steel requires good ore, good fuel, and skilled craftsmen. But all you have now are skilled craftsmen!”

“Even if we use iron sand for the ore problem, fuel is the issue! Charcoal alone makes mass production impossible!”

Mochiyori could only sigh deeply at these common responses from the kidnapped Ming craftsmen.

“Then we must search.”

Finally, under Mochiyori’s orders, shogunate prospectors and their military escorts scattered across Honshu and Kyushu.

During this process, lords opposing the Ōuchi shogunate conducted sabotage operations, leading in a chain reaction to Ōuchi pursuing licensed production of Eulshik firearms and artillery.

“Since it’s come to this! Let’s sweep them all away!”

“Still, the licensing fees are too high! While the prices for steel and primer powder are reasonable considering their high quality and rarity, charging such high fees for just a few design drawings of Eulshik firearms and artillery seems excessive.”

Norihiro’s words twisted Heo Hu’s expression into a fierce scowl.

“A few drawings? Did you say just a few drawings?”

Heo Hu growled in an enraged voice.

“You think it was simple progression from Type-Gap to Eulshik? Do you know how many craftsmen expended their heart and soul developing those designs? And not just craftsmen – His Majesty, who was then Crown Prince, also poured his heart and soul into it! Yet you dare say ‘just a few drawings’!”

In truth, Hyang had thoroughly enjoyed that time.

Regardless of the truth, the thoroughly angered Heo Hu rose abruptly and pointed toward the door.

“Get out at once! We will discuss licensing no further!”

Startled by Heo Hu’s dismissal, Norihiro prostrated himself.

“I apologize! I spoke wrongly! Please calm your anger!”

Even as an adopted son, failing this negotiation means the end! Ritual suicide would be fortunate – at minimum it’s beheading!

“Leave immediately!”

“Oh, my lord! This lowly one has made a grave mistake!”

Norihiro’s desperate pleading, even using the term “lowly one,” seemed to work as Heo Hu took several deep breaths to cool his anger before issuing a stern warning.

“I will never again forgive words that insult His Majesty. Remember that.”

“I shall engrave it in my bones and heart!”

Though Heo Hu had completely seized the initiative through this commotion, Norihiro remained persistent.

“Our country is poor. Please, reduce the licensing fees even slightly.”

“Then why not simply buy them instead of making them yourselves?”

“There are still many unruly ones defying the shogunate, causing much unrest.”

“Tsk tsk. Why try to solve everything through the way of force? You should influence them through kind words and virtuous example.”

“They’re simply not the type to listen to reason…”

At Norihiro’s words, Heo Hu muttered internally, Look who’s talking!

After tedious back-and-forth, Heo Hu reached a non-conclusion.

“I shall report to His Imperial Majesty and await his answer.”

“Please help ensure a favorable outcome!”

To Norihiro’s plea, Heo Hu responded with a slightly troubled expression.

“As I mentioned earlier, the Eulshik firearms and artillery are items His Majesty holds dear…”

“Still, I must beg your assistance!”

After showing Norihiro out, Heo Hu organized his documents with a smirk.