Two days later, Hyang summoned Wan.
“You’ve called for me, Your Majesty?”
“Yes. I have orders for you.”
“Please command me.”
“You will assume regency from March – prepare accordingly.”
At Hyang’s order, Wan immediately prostrated himself and raised his voice.
“Your Majesty is still vigorous – how could this humble one assume regency? Please withdraw this command!”
“I’m entrusting you with regency because we can’t delay any longer. It’s time you learned how the Empire operates.”
“This humble one’s learning and experience are still shallow!”
“You’ve learned enough, and as for experience… Unless you’re reborn, how could anyone do well from the start? Experience is built through mistakes. So now is the perfect opportunity to gain experience. Even if you make mistakes, I can readily correct them.”
“However…”
As Wan tried to object again, Hyang cut him off.
“The Emperor’s position is not an easy one. Every imperial decision affects all the Empire’s subjects. Wouldn’t it be the greatest sin to inherit that position without any experience? What do you think?”
At Hyang’s words, Wan had no choice but to surrender.
“I accept Your Majesty’s command.”
“You’ve chosen well.”
“Then who should manage the research institute and Area 51?”
“Scholar Lee can handle the research institute, and you’ll have to maintain oversight of Area 51.”
“…I shall do so.”
Thus Wan’s regency was decided immediately.
No ministers opposed this decision.
Firstly, most ministers had already anticipated this situation.
Secondly, Hyang’s logic was flawless.
The Emperor’s position carried immense responsibility. The reason China’s past emperors consumed such delicacies and elixirs wasn’t merely for virility. The position brought such psychological pressure that it easily damaged one’s health.
Emperors who didn’t understand this and lost themselves in hedonistic pleasures were recorded as harbingers of their dynasty’s downfall.
For the same reason, nothing was more troublesome than having someone completely ignorant of state affairs inherit the throne. As Hyang said, a single imperial decision affected all the Empire’s subjects.
That night, Wan secretly visited Hyang’s chambers.
“What is it?”
“Is it alright to keep Minister Jeong Inji in his position?”
Hyang’s face hardened at Wan’s question. Unlike others, Hyang knew the history of the Gapchuk Rebellion.
Surely not! Could someone other than Jinpyeong…?
“Why? Does Jeong Inji seem to harbor treasonous thoughts?”
“Ah! N-no, not at all!”
Hurriedly denying Hyang’s question, Wan expressed his concern.
“Minister Jeong Inji is highly capable. I worry that keeping such a person confined to the research institute might create problems.”
“You have a point…”
Nodding at Wan’s words, Hyang began analyzing Jeong Inji.
He actively supported Suyang who started the Gapchuk Rebellion and rose to State Councilor – he has strong political ambitions. However, he’s also an opportunist who supported Seongjong’s ascension during the succession struggle. Then…
After analyzing Jeong Inji’s tendencies, Hyang smiled slightly at Wan.
“That position might actually be better for him.”
“Pardon?”
Hyang explained the reasoning.
- Jeong Inji likely has political ambitions matching his exceptional abilities.
- Given his political ambitions, the position of research institute deputy director could be ideal. While seemingly insignificant, it allows maintaining close relationships with those in power.
- Because all Crown Princes pass through that position. Yet it carries the least political burden.
Wan nodded in admiration at Hyang’s explanation.
“Indeed! Minister Jeong Inji has been leading the research institute since its founding. Even I am cautious around him. As you say, it’s a position where he can receive the Crown Prince’s respect without political scrutiny.”
At Wan’s words, Hyang added with a smile.
“While we’re reviewing Minister Kim’s honors, let’s include Scholar Yi Minister. He has effectively managed the research institute for so long, after all.”
Wan bowed his head in response to Hyang’s words.
“Your Majesty’s wisdom never ceases to amaze.”
“Enough flattery. If you have no other business, go rest.”
At Hyang’s words, Wan hesitated briefly before raising another matter.
“Your Majesty, couldn’t you delay my regency by one year?”
“Why?”
“The research on gliders and flying spheres is still incomplete…”
“That won’t be a major issue since you’ll maintain oversight, no?”
“However, I believe that when the Former Emperor returns in two years, Your Majesty will abdicate to me and go to the New Frontier. Won’t the Former Emperor support me then anyway? I don’t see the need for two years of regency. And frankly, Your Majesty’s own regency period wasn’t that long either.”
Hyang immediately retorted to Wan’s words.
“It was longer than yours will be. And listen here, son! I’ve been handling unofficial regency since the ‘Far Distance Rebellion’! Stop whining!”
“But…”
“Out, you brat!”
After chasing Wan away, Hyang counted on his fingers for a moment.
“Let’s see… The Imperial Grandson is six now? He’ll be eight when confirmed as Crown Prince when I go to the New Frontier. Let’s see…”
After calculating a bit more, Hyang smiled while looking toward the Crown Prince’s palace.
“That fellow’s reign might end up being one of the longest in imperial history.”
As a side note, Hyang’s words “Unless you’re reborn, how could anyone do well from the start?” began circulating among lower officials, spawning strange conspiracy theories.
“Hey, don’t you think something’s odd?”
“What?”
“His Majesty said ‘Unless you’re reborn, how could anyone do well from the start?'”
“He did.”
“But think about it – His Majesty was extraordinary from childhood.”
“Because he’s a genius.”
“No, put aside the scholarship. Think about his political statements from such a young age. That’s impossible even for a prodigy. And what about the research institute and Area 51?”
“Stop this nonsense that even a street dog wouldn’t believe and get back to work.”
“No, something’s strange! Could it be…?”
“I said stop this nonsense!”
Before long, these rumors reached Hyang’s ears, and he smirked while telling his ministers.
“The officials seem to have too much free time lately?”
The ministers bowed their heads, pale-faced, at Hyang’s words.
“Please don’t trouble yourself with baseless rumors!”
“It’s just idle talk from gossipmongers. Most officials are still diligently performing their duties.”
“Is that so?”
Though Hyang ended the conversation with an unconcerned expression, he was slightly startled internally.
Well! There are surprisingly perceptive people around!
***
As spring arrived, the Empire stretched its limbs once again.
With the seas growing calmer, many merchant ships hurriedly raised anchor, setting sail for voyages near and far – to Ming and Japan nearby, and as far as Suez.
“Hurry! We need at least one more round trip before the summer typhoons arrive!”
“Yes!”
In the Empire’s mainland and Northern Territory, people began tilling the fields and paddies in preparation for planting, while customers started flooding into the monopoly offices and marketplace shops.
Gyeongbok Palace was no different.
With Wan’s regency officially beginning, officials had to prepare more detailed materials and develop more thorough proposals.
“Hmm… I’m not clear about this part – why must it be done this way?”
Wan dug into every detail while obviously showing his “I’m a beginner, so I don’t know well” attitude. Seeing this, the ministers looked desperately toward Hyang. However, Hyang just smiled and told them:
“I’m fine because of my accumulated experience, but the Crown Prince isn’t, is he? Please explain well. The Crown Prince will improve with experience.”
“Yes…”
Driven by the psychology that they “couldn’t die alone,” the ministers had to push their subordinates hard due to Wan’s persistent questioning.
“Get the materials properly organized!”
“Be thorough with the documents!”
“If you’re going to spout nonsense like ‘according to precedent,’ quit and leave right now!”
***
Meanwhile, ships loaded with materials for the Suez railway construction began raising anchor one after another, carrying cargo and technical personnel.
The navy units tasked with escorting these ships and constructing the naval base in Suez also began assembling their fleet and moving out.
The scale was far greater than expected. When Ming’s navy discovered this, they immediately raised an alarm, and urgent reports were sent to Nanjing.
“Being in Nanjing is good for this – we receive news faster than in Beijing.”
Receiving the urgent naval report, the Jingtai Emperor addressed his ministers with an expression mixing jest and sincerity.
The ministers all prostrated themselves and cried out in anguished voices.
“Your Majesty! Please forgive our incompetence!”
“Due to our incompetence, we have brought such shame upon Your Majesty! Please forgive our inadequacy!”
“It’s alright. Rise.”
“Your Imperial grace is boundless. Ten thousand years, ten thousand years, ten thousand of ten thousand years!”
After the ministers finished their triple cheers, the Jingtai Emperor gave orders with a serious expression.
“Until we take revenge on this Joseon that presumptuously calls itself an empire, I forbid the triple cheers.”
“But, Your Majesty…”
“Let’s show our determination to grind our teeth in hatred and sleep on firewood with actions, not just words. I forbid the triple cheers until we have our revenge. Anyone who violates this will not escape severe punishment.”
At the Jingtai Emperor’s firm decision, the ministers could only bow their heads.
“We receive your command!”
Having thus strengthened his resolve for revenge, the Jingtai Emperor inquired about the current situation.
“What do you think?”
“According to rumors, they’ve taken charge of laying railway tracks in Suez in the Western Regions. The fleet appears to be escorting ships carrying those materials.”
“The fleet seems rather large for that?”
“Also according to rumors, they’re establishing a Joseon naval base in Suez. It seems to include warships that will be stationed there.”
“Hmm…”
Stroking his beard and considering various options upon hearing the ministers’ report, the Jingtai Emperor shared his thoughts.
“With Joseon’s navy deploying such a grand fleet, there must be gaps in their defenses. What if we strike now?”
When the Jingtai Emperor mentioned “provocation,” the ministers’ faces turned pale. At that moment, the Left Commander bowed and answered.
“Forgive my presumption, Your Majesty, but the Black Sea Dragon stands guard. As long as the Black Sea Dragon remains, provocation would be reckless.”
At the Left Commander’s answer, the Jingtai Emperor ground his teeth.
“That darn Black Sea Dragon!”