Taking the newly prepared estimate, Kim Jong-seo immediately returned to Gyeongbok Palace and submitted it to Hyang.

“I have brought the new estimate.”

“Did it turn out well?”

“I believe it looks quite appealing.”

Confidently answering, Kim Jong-seo submitted the newly prepared estimate to Hyang.

Receiving the estimate, Hyang examined the numbers and lightly clicked his tongue.

“It looks better than last time… but still feels a bit lacking.”

At Hyang’s observation, Kim Jong-seo’s eyes lit up as he asked.

“Which parts would be good to increase?”

The ministers listening to Hyang and Kim Jong-seo’s exchange wore bewildered expressions and muttered internally.

‘Isn’t this supposed to be an estimate?’

‘Shouldn’t an estimate be prepared based on accurate data without a hint of deception?’

While the ministers were muttering internally, Kim Jeom stepped forward and addressed Hyang.

“Your Majesty, though I am unworthy, might I take a look?”

“Of course you should. No, that would have been the proper order – I made a mistake. This is truly regrettable.”

“Not at all! Please do not concern yourself!”

Kim Jeom, responding with an expression that suggested Hyang’s apology was unnecessary, received the estimate in question.

“Hmm…”

After examining the numbers in the estimate, Kim Jeom soon nodded.

“It certainly feels a bit lacking. How about adding one or two more zeros at the end?”

At Kim Jeom’s suggestion, Kim Jong-seo immediately added:

“Two might be excessive, but adding one would make it look good.”

“I too think that amount would look appropriate.”

At Kim Jong-seo and Kim Jeom’s words, Hyang nodded with a bright expression.

“Is that so? Indeed, it would look quite good.”

Hearing Hyang’s response as well, the ministers became even more confused.

‘Isn’t this an estimate?’

‘Since when did we start considering aesthetic aspects when making estimates?’

Finally, Heo Hu, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, stepped forward.

“Your Majesty, though it is extremely presumptuous, might I look at the estimate?”

“Go ahead.”

Having received Hyang’s permission and examining the estimate, Heo Hu asked Kim Jong-seo:

“What was the original first estimate?”

“Well… umm…”

After briefly searching his memory, Kim Jong-seo told him the number written in the original estimate. Comparing that number with the one written in the current estimate, Heo Hu wore an incredulous expression and unconsciously blurted out:

“You’re adding another zero when it’s already almost doubled from the original estimate? And the unit is in silver coins? How can this make sense?”

At Heo Hu’s words, Kim Jong-seo retorted with an expression that asked what the problem was:

“Doesn’t that make it nine digits? People are cautious of the number nine, so why should estimates be different? Wouldn’t it look better to round it up to ten digits?”

At Kim Jong-seo’s words, Heo Hu wore a dumbfounded expression before immediately bowing to Hyang and pleading:

“Your Majesty! This will create major diplomatic problems! No country will agree to such an enormous amount!”

Learning the circumstances through Heo Hu’s words, all the ministers nodded with similar expressions.

“Tsk!”

But Hyang’s response was to click his tongue.

As soon as Hyang clicked his tongue, the ministers tensed up while strengthening their resolve.

‘Ah! That tongue-clicking sound!’

‘Still, we must argue what needs to be argued!’

As if sensing the ministers’ inner thoughts, Hyang posed a question to Heo Hu.

“Let me ask the Minister of Foreign Affairs.”

“Please inquire.”

“First, consider this. Were the losses our empire suffered when war broke out in Suez small?”

“No, they were not.”

“Then, compared to before the war broke out in Suez, will the profits our empire earns after the railway is laid be sufficiently large?”

At Hyang’s question, Heo Hu carefully considered the situation.

The reason war broke out in Suez was because of the profits Alexandria’s merchants were taking as middlemen. Italy, Europe, and the Ottomans started the war because their profits were reduced due to the share Alexandria’s merchants were taking.

Considering that, it was certain that the empire’s profits would not increase significantly.

Having thought that far, Heo Hu bowed his head and answered:

“They will increase, but not significantly. However, if they learn the actual estimate, they will harbor great dissatisfaction.”

“The actual estimate… Do you think they’ll know if we don’t tell them?”

“…”

Heo Hu, who had fallen silent at Hyang’s point, raised another issue.

“But they have spent much on war expenses during the long war, so this will be a great burden. It might be more beneficial to give them diplomatic leverage through appropriate concessions.”

“Tsk!”

At Heo Hu’s suggestion, Hyang clicked his tongue again, making Heo Hu’s shoulders flinch.

Wearing an expression of clear disapproval, Hyang asked Heo Hu again:

“Minister of Foreign Affairs. Let me ask you. Did we push them to start that war?”

“No, we did not.”

“That’s right. We didn’t force them into war. They started the war due to their own greed and spent war expenses. And, I’ll say again, the losses our empire suffered because of that war were not insignificant. Yet our empire said nothing. Haven’t we already given them enough diplomatic leverage?”

“While that may be true…”

“And consider this part as well. We clearly proposed establishing a joint company to manage Suez’s trade routes together, and they agreed. Yet as soon as the war ended, they removed that part and banded together among themselves. Would such people take diplomatic burden seriously?”

At Hyang’s sharp point, Heo Hu had no choice but to wave the white flag.

“My thinking was short-sighted. Please forgive my dullness.”

“The Foreign Minister’s thinking isn’t wrong, but you must not forget that their diplomacy not only swallows what’s sweet and spits out what’s bitter, but also makes deception an everyday practice.”

“I will engrave it in my bones and heart.”

Having made Heo Hu wave the white flag, Hyang turned to the other ministers and continued:

“Whether railway tracks are laid in Suez or not, our empire will certainly pay usage fees. Therefore, shouldn’t our empire firmly secure what we should? I hear there’s a saying among the common people: ‘Row when the tide comes in.’ We must not forget the saying ‘Don’t miss a good opportunity.'”

“We will engrave it in our bones and heart!”

Hearing the ministers’ response, Hyang gave orders to Kim Jong-seo:

“It seems we’re somewhat prepared now. Minister Kim, select those skilled in calculations from the railway construction office and depart for Suez. You may completely overturn the situation. Secure maximum profit. I’ll say it again, they are the ones in a hurry, not us.”

At Hyang’s words, Kim Jong-seo bowed his head and responded:

“I will stake my life to bring back the best results!”

“I trust only you, Minister.”

“Since Your Majesty trusts me, I will certainly succeed!”

The court historian who recorded all these circumstances wrote as follows:

• … Thus, when His Majesty urged best efforts, Minister of General Affairs Kim Jong-seo deeply bowed and answered.

The historian says: It seems the saying ‘Diplomacy is another name for a den of demons’ is true. It is truly lamentable that national interest precedes faith. But His Majesty’s words that ‘One must row when the tide comes in’ are truly correct. They say many people have profited through investment funds lately, perhaps I should also…

“Why is the historian writing so much? Are you criticizing me?”

“N-no, not at all!”

“Work properly.”

“I am deeply sorry!”

***

Imperial Year 7 (1455), April.

Kim Jong-seo and the railway construction office staff arrived in Suez.

Disembarking via the gangway, Kim Jong-seo adjusted his gat[1] while grumbling.

“Aish! Why is this sun so hot! Hey! Bring that whatever-it’s-called parasol hat!”

“Yes, Your Excellency!”

After putting on the parasol hat that his subordinate official hurriedly brought and handing his gat to a staff member, Kim Jong-seo continued grumbling.

“They say everything has its pros and cons… The gat doesn’t block the sun well but allows good airflow, while the parasol hat blocks the sun well but doesn’t let air through. Ah, I want to return to Seoul!”

While grumbling like this, Kim Jong-seo began handling matters meticulously.

He thoroughly checked whether the cargo they brought was being unloaded properly while commanding his subordinate officials and railway construction office staff, and sent word to the surveyors’ lodgings.

Shortly after, the supervisor commanding the surveyors rushed to Kim Jong-seo and deeply bowed.

“I greet Your Excellency!”

“Yes. You’ve worked hard in this disgustingly hot weather. His Majesty also commended your efforts.”

At Kim Jong-seo’s words, the supervisor brightened and bowed his head.

“Oh my! Such glory!”

“I’m feeling a bit seasick from the long voyage. Is there a place to rest?”

“I will guide you right away!”

***

After thus settling into his lodgings, Kim Jong-seo sent word through an interpreter to the allied nations’ lodgings nearby.

‘A high-ranking imperial official has come to Suez! They say he came because of the railway!’

As soon as they heard the news, the allied nations’ representatives sought out Kim Jong-seo. However, Kim Jong-seo politely declined their visits.

“I am still tired from the long journey, so it’s difficult right now. Please wait.”

At this polite refusal, the allied representatives nodded and withdrew. Watching their departure from the window shade of his lodgings, Kim Jong-seo smiled coldly and muttered:

“Now they’ll start having many thoughts.”

And the allied representatives’ reactions were exactly as Kim Jong-seo had predicted.

***

Meeting together after a long time, the allied representatives discussed with serious expressions.

“They said he’s a high-ranking official, but how high exactly?”

“After putting out feelers here and there, they say he’s a minister.”

“A minister means he’s at the level of chancellor?”

“We should consider it so, right?”

“Look at the cargo they brought too. Using an entire large ship – we must consider him an extremely important figure.”

Learning that Kim Jong-seo was an even bigger figure than expected, the representatives’ expressions became even more serious as they rose from their seats.

“We must contact our home countries.”

“Indeed.”

Though those gathered here were also representatives of the alliance, in terms of position they were middle-level officials. For such people, dealing with Kim Jong-seo was beyond their capabilities. Not only was there a difference in rank, but they were far too lacking in capability to handle Kim Jong-seo, a seasoned politician experienced enough to serve as minister.

In the end, numerous carrier pigeons flew from Suez to the allied capitals, and just in case, messengers carrying letters rode horses heading north.

***

While the allied nations were busy moving, Kim Jong-seo checked the new data the surveyors had secured.

“So, it’s definitely not an easy construction?”

“Yes, if we want to do it properly, we’ll need to bring large numbers of excavators and tractors first.”

After briefly thinking at the surveyors’ answer, Kim Jong-seo asked another question.

“According to rumors in Seoul, they plan to use slaves instead of those machines?”

At Kim Jong-seo’s question, the surveyors simultaneously wore cynical expressions and answered:

“Then this construction will take at least 20 years.”

“20 years?”

“That’s the minimum estimate.”

“Do you have solid evidence?”

At Kim Jong-seo’s question, the surveyors explained again about their previous desert digging experience.

“Is that so? I understand, go rest now.”

At the surveyors’ explanation, Kim Jong-seo nodded and dismissed them.

Left alone in the room, Kim Jong-seo smiled coldly and muttered:

“So that’s how it is… Then we can really hit them from behind.”