The navy wasn’t the only one rejoicing.

The army also began reinforcing defensive installations in the Liaodong region, which had been progressing slowly due to budget constraints, and started the full-scale distribution of Byeongshik cannons and Byeongshik rifles.

That wasn’t all. As Byeongshik rifles were distributed to the cavalry, work began on extensively modifying the horse carbines that had been collected.

This involved converting the chamber, which had previously used paper cartridges and primers, to one that used integrated ammunition.

Additionally, as the propellant powder changed from Eulshik gunpowder to Deokgap-style smokeless powder, the gun body also changed. Basic durability was enhanced, and the method of loading ammunition into the chamber was also altered. While the existing horse carbines had been break-action, the newly modified ones adopted a side-opening method—known as swing-out—giving them definite durability.

These modified horse carbines were distributed not only to the existing cavalry units but also as secondary weapons for officers ranked Military Instructor (군교) and above.

Furthermore, the communication network in the Liaodong region began to be extensively installed. The communication towers, which had previously been installed only along railways, started appearing in more and more areas, developing into a more efficient communication network.

As this communication network using light signaling devices became established, it enabled faster and more efficient communication than the previous methods of messengers or carrier pigeons.

As Hyang reviewed the reports received from Wan and confirmed the results, he inwardly muttered:

‘Now we just need electricity and rubber, and the telegraph network will be complete!’

Building a communication network throughout not only Liaodong but the entire Empire was an expensive undertaking.

However, because of its exceptional utility, the Ministry of Finance raised no particular objections.

With the Finance Ministry, which controlled the Empire’s purse strings, executing the budget without complaint, the Empire’s communication network entered the final stages of completion.

Communication between islands far from the Empire’s mainland, such as Jeju Island, Tsushima Island, Daesoul Island, and Jongjang Island, unavoidably took time using ships, but even in those regions, rapid internal communication was possible using light signaling devices.

And here, Lim Soonwook revealed his presence after a long time.

***

“Hmm… if this works out well…”

After reviewing reports on the establishment of a communication network using light signaling devices, Lim Soonwook muttered to himself briefly before giving orders to a subordinate official.

“Go to the General Administration Department and check last year’s household register changes.”

“Household register changes, sir?”

“That’s right. Ah! Not changes due to births and deaths, but changes due to household registration relocations.”

“Understood.”

The subordinate official, having received Lim Soonwook’s order and left, let out a small sigh.

“Huuu~. I’m going to hear some complaints from my friends at the General Administration Department.”

And the General Administration Department’s reaction was not much different from his expectation.

“What! At a time when we should be reducing workload, you’re adding more? What are you thinking!”

This was inevitable because records of household register changes were compiled annually. However, reclassifying them according to specific conditions was time-consuming.

Of course, final numbers for each category were recorded separately. But what the higher-ups wanted was certainly not something so simple.

Three days later, the documents Lim Soonwook had requested were sent from the General Administration Department. Receiving them, Lim Soonwook smiled wryly.

“I didn’t ask for this much detail…”

The documents he received contained detailed records of how many people had changed their household registrations by region, and even how far they had moved.

***

A few days later, Lim Soonwook submitted a proposal to the Minister of Finance.

“This is good. I’ll forward it upward.”

Lee Gyeon-gi, the Minister of Finance, who evaluated Lim Soonwook’s proposal positively, sent it to the Prime Minister’s Office.

Kim Jeom and the Deputy Prime Ministers, who made the same assessment as Lee Gyeon-gi, submitted it to Wan and Hyang.

“I believe this is a good proposal. What does Your Majesty think?”

“Hmm… it’s good, but this isn’t something the Finance Ministry can do alone. It would be better to summon First Vice Minister Lim Soonwook himself and hear more details, as well as listen to the opinions of other ministers.”

“I will do so.”

Shortly thereafter, Lim Soonwook, having received the summons, entered Geunjeong Hall. Upon seeing Hyang, Lim Soonwook respectfully bowed.

“I present myself to Your Majesty.”

“It’s been a while. I would like you to explain this proposal in detail.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

As if he had been prepared, Lim Soonwook hung a large chart and began to explain.

The proposal submitted by Lim Soonwook was for a “Communication Service Using Light Signaling Network.”

• Even now, many citizens of the Empire live their entire lives where they were born.
• However, more and more people are leaving their birthplaces to move to larger cities or other regions.
• Even after moving, most of their close relatives such as parents, siblings, and other family members remain in their hometowns.
• Therefore, many people return home during seasonal festivals or send letters to inquire about each other’s well-being.
• The problem is that there is no means to quickly communicate urgent news, such as a parent’s critical illness.
• Additionally, the Empire’s merchant groups frequently need urgent communication with their branches, but similarly lack means for rapid message delivery.
• As a solution to this, we propose using the military’s communication network.
• Light signaling devices enable rapid message delivery to desired locations, so we would utilize these.
• However, use of light signaling devices would require payment. This is to prevent excessive use.

After Lim Soonwook finished his explanation, Hyang began to ask questions.

“You mentioned charging money, but how much do you think would be appropriate?”

“I believe it would be good to charge 10 won per character in the main text, excluding the recipient’s address and name.”

At Lim Soonwook’s answer, many ministers tilted their heads in confusion. Even though it was in coins, 10 won was enough for a hearty meal.

Seeing the ministers’ expressions, Hyang asked Lim Soonwook again.

“What’s the basis for that price?”

“First, the sender must provide the recipient’s address, and at the final destination, this must be made into a document and delivered to the recipient. But since it’s urgent news, naturally a dispatch horse must be mobilized. This cost must also be included.”

“Isn’t it still too expensive?”

“It’s because it’s for urgent messages. Only those whose situations are urgent enough to send such messages should use it. Otherwise, when truly urgent situations arise for the Empire, we could face difficulties.”

“So, only people who really need it should use it after careful consideration?”

“That is correct.”

“What about building a separate communication network instead?”

“I believe that would be an unnecessary expense until the Empire’s population increases at least threefold.”

Nodding slightly at Lim Soonwook’s answer, Hyang turned to Wan and the ministers.

“What does the Crown Prince think?”

“It seems like a good proposal. It could reduce regrets from missing timely action when urgent matters arise.”

“What do you ministers think?”

“We think it’s a good proposal. As the Crown Prince said, it could prevent regrets from missing timely action.”

“Although the Empire’s mainland and northern territories are vast, with railways, they can be traversed in a few days. If urgent messages can be properly received, disasters can be prevented, so I consider it good.”

Thus, a new information delivery service using the Imperial Army’s communication devices was created.

This service, named “Light Message” because it used light signaling devices, soon began to be useful to the people.

However, among the people, the nickname “Bad News” spread faster than the official name “Light Message.”

This was because most of the urgent messages delivered through Light Message were bad news, such as notifications of parents’ critical illnesses.

***

Meanwhile, Hyang created a proposal for a new research institution and summoned Wan.

“When you say ‘War Research Institute,’ is it a place to study military tactics?”

“It studies tactics, but it can be seen more as a place to study how to avoid war.”

“Pardon?”

As Wan tilted his head in confusion, Hyang explained in more detail.

-Through the two previous wars and various large and small conflicts that have occurred, the Empire has been able to gain many benefits.

-This experience might lead to a tendency to try to resolve everything through war.

-However, this is absolutely not a good tendency.

-Although we gained many benefits from past wars and conflicts, there were also many expenditures.

-If we become blind to only the benefits and ignore the burden these expenditures bring, this is the path to national ruin.

“I want to establish the institute to prevent this. Rather than simply gathering soldiers to study war, we will bring together talented individuals from various fields to study how war affects the Empire.”

What Hyang wanted to create was similar to the strategic research institutes that all major powers had in the 21st century.

After moistening his throat lightly, Hyang continued his explanation.

“As you’ve experienced, Crown Prince, war is not conducted by soldiers alone. Without citizens to provide weapons for soldiers to use, uniforms to wear, and food to eat, war would be impossible. In other words, war concentrates all of a nation’s capabilities. If this is taken lightly and we become bellicose, everything will go wrong.”

“Ah…”

Wan nodded at Hyang’s words. After thinking for a moment, Wan asked Hyang.

“Then, would the existing Weapons Research Institute and Tactics Research Institute also be integrated here?”

“Wouldn’t that be better?”

“I believe it would be better. We should also study how changes in weapons and tactics affect warfare.”

At Wan’s answer, Hyang smiled gently and responded.

“Your words are right. You take responsibility and push forward with this matter.”

“Me? How could I…?”

“Your thinking is truly profound, so you’re trustworthy. Therefore, push forward with confidence.”

“But with Your Majesty here…”

“I’m busy packing my bags. So you have no choice but to do it.”

At Hyang’s firm answer, Wan could only bow his head.

“I will do my best.”

“I trust only you.”

Having left Hyang’s chambers, Wan sighed softly and muttered.

“Huuu~. Got played again.”

***

In the end, Wan, who had been burdened by Hyang, did his best to push forward with the establishment of the ‘War Research Institute.’

There were various debates about the nature of the new research institution, but the overall atmosphere was positive.

In particular, the ministries most in favor were the Finance Ministry and the General Administration Department.

“Do you know how much trouble we go through with financial management issues when a war breaks out?”

“Is finance the only problem? What about sorting out household registrations!”

Meanwhile, within the military, a positive atmosphere was also the majority view.

“Look at Ming, right? War is changing more and more. We need to prepare in advance.”

Thus, the War Research Institute finally took shape.

***

Meanwhile, on the outskirts of the Northern Territory.

A subordinate hurriedly ran to Jinpyeong, who was at the forefront directing railway construction.

“Your Excellency! His Majesty has sent a Light Message!”

“Give it to me!”

Hastily receiving the message, Jinpyeong tore open the envelope and examined the contents.

-Pack your bags. Let’s go.

“Finally!”