“Did you say a dagger, Your Majesty?”
“That’s right.”
Hearing Hyang’s words, Shin In-son pondered briefly before answering.
“I understand what Your Majesty intends. However, would merely expanding the interior space of Challenger-class warships make crossing the eastern ocean possible? We have the example of the Jinpo vessel, don’t we?”
After Challenger-class warships had been deployed in large numbers, the Joseon navy conducted an adventurous operation—heavily influenced by Hyang’s MSG—to explore the seas beyond the Great Snow Island.
This operation became possible with the deployment of the Challenger-class warships, the largest vessels in Joseon’s fleet at that time.
According to this plan, the Jinpo vessel departed from the Inner Snow Island, setting its course due east.
And it nearly suffered a shipwreck—no, it actually became a distressed vessel and barely managed to return.
Afterward, the Joseon navy moved northward, using the northern archipelago as stepping stones, eventually discovering New Frontier.
Shin In-son was pointing this out to Hyang.
- —Strategically, advancing into Europe to establish an offensive-defensive strategy makes sense.
- —The problem is the vast ocean to the east.
- —When we don’t know how wide the eastern sea is, can we solve it merely by expanding the interior space of Challenger-class warships?
Shin In-son was indirectly highlighting this issue.
He couldn’t criticize directly, as that would constitute the crime of disrespect regarding imperial matters.
Hyang nodded at Shin In-son’s observation.
“Of course, I admit that aspect is quite ambiguous. But according to research institute findings, the world is round, isn’t it?”
“Every commander in the navy—no, the imperial navy—knows this. I’m also aware that this is why we’ve come to call the world ‘jigu’ (地球, Earth).”
To prove the ‘spherical Earth theory,’ researchers at the institute conducted dozens of measurements. The navy provided the most assistance in this process.
Consequently, the navy had the highest number of people who believed that ‘the Earth is round’ as common knowledge.
Hearing Shin In-son’s response, Hyang continued.
“According to calculations by the institute’s researchers, the circumference of this round world’s widest part is approximately 100,000 li (about 40,000 km). Of course, to be precise, it’s said to be 100,000 and several thousand li, but let’s set that aside…”
Pausing briefly, Hyang drew a circle on a blank sheet and continued.
“Let’s call this circle Earth. Crossing through the widest part in the middle would be impossible even for a Challenger-class ship. But here’s where we are now. This northern part.”
Hyang drew a straight line crossing the upper part of the circle and continued.
“What if we go this way?”
At Hyang’s words, Shin In-son made some calculations and replied with a slightly uncertain voice.
“It’s difficult to be certain whether it’s impossible or possible. We simply have too little information.”
“That’s information we need to obtain from now on. Fortunately, our empire possesses the tools for that, doesn’t it?”
Shin In-son immediately responded to Hyang’s question.
“Are you referring to the quadrant and precision timepieces, Your Majesty?”
***
After obtaining serviceable telescopes and mirrors from Area 51, and acquiring quadrants—still primitive—through Mansur, Hyang passed them directly to Jang Yeong-sil.
“I’d like to make these more usable. Please put in the effort.”
“…Yes.”
With the development of somewhat useful quadrants, the navy began to enhance long-distance navigation safety while creating more precise nautical charts.
However, quadrants and compasses alone were insufficient for creating proper nautical charts and ensuring safe navigation.
So Hyang—who was still the Crown Prince at the time—put Jang Yeong-sil to work once again.
“We need extremely precise timepieces. Clocks that don’t run fast or slow under any circumstances, and remain stable even in stormy seas. We need such timepieces.”
“Are the current timepieces inadequate?”
“I’m hearing reports that current weight-driven clocks are inaccurate on the turbulent sea. I’m asking for your help.”
“…I understand.”
It was a seemingly impossible task, but Jang Yeong-sil had no right of refusal. It was a command from the Crown Prince.
But even the great Jang Yeong-sil found this daunting. Seeing him struggle to find a proper solution, Hyang clicked his tongue.
“Tsk! It can’t be helped!”
After clicking his tongue, Hyang subtly sprinkled some MSG.
“What about using a spring as the power source to drive the clock?”
“Ah!”
When Hyang casually mentioned ‘springs,’ Jang Yeong-sil’s face lit up.
From then on, progress was swift.
In the timeline before Hyang’s intervention, Jang Yeong-sil had created a self-propelled palanquin using spring power.
Although it ended in failure, with Jang Yeong-sil disappearing from history after being held responsible.
Being experienced with springs, Jang Yeong-sil produced a product that passed in all aspects except size.
The precision timepiece made by Jang Yeong-sil was about the size of a naengmyeon bowl. However, the naengmyeon bowls of this era were about half again as large as those of the 21st century.
Still, with satisfactory performance, Challenger-class warships and merchant vessels undertaking long-distance voyages had at least three precision timepieces installed in the captain’s cabin. One showed the time in Hanseong (later Seoul), another the time at the destination (usually Suez), and the last one the time at the intermediate stop (usually Malacca).
Using the time measured by these clocks, latitude confirmed by quadrants and constellations, and regularly checked navigation speed, captains and navigators could determine their positions quite accurately.
And this was one of the driving forces enabling the Imperial Navy to maintain overwhelming superiority compared to other nations.
***
Hyang explained the future plans to Shin In-son.
“As you know, Admiral, to properly construct a maritime barrier, we need to accurately determine the locations of New Frontier’s east and west coasts, as well as surrounding islands. With quadrants and precision timepieces, this becomes much easier.”
“Indeed, Your Majesty.”
“And through this process, we can also train New Frontier’s navy into an elite force.”
“Indeed, Your Majesty.”
“Just a moment…”
As the conversation lengthened, Hyang’s throat became dry. He poured some black bean tea and offered it to Shin In-son.
“Please drink.”
“Oh! What an honor!”
Receiving the black bean tea personally poured by Hyang, Shin In-son was genuinely moved and bowed his head. After moistening his throat with a sip of the tea, Hyang continued.
“I’ve planned ten years for developing the Imperial Navy stationed in New Frontier, and I have no intention of rushing this timeframe. Instead, we need to cultivate it to sufficient size and elite quality.”
“Please leave that matter to me.”
“By the time New Frontier’s navy establishes itself—estimating about nine years—the Emperor will enter negotiations with Portugal.”
“Negotiations with Portugal? Perhaps a military alliance?”
“Not quite a military alliance, more like a ‘Mutual Maritime Safety Guarantee Agreement.’ Something along the lines of ‘The Empire and Portugal guarantee the safety of vessels belonging to both countries.’ And this clause will include the provision of safe havens.”
Pausing briefly, Hyang spread out a map obtained from Europe and continued.
“There, the Emperor will demand the Azores Islands.”
“That’s quite distant from Africa.”
“Correct. But from the New Frontier’s perspective, isn’t it a perfect resting point in between?”
“However, we risk revealing New Frontier’s existence earlier than anticipated.”
To Shin In-son’s concern, Hyang confidently replied.
“It doesn’t matter. By then, the maritime barrier will be complete.”
“But continuous conflicts could cause unnecessary losses and become a significant burden later.”
“That’s why I’ll plant a dagger. The location for this dagger is…”
Hyang pointed to a spot on the map.
“Right here, Gibraltar.”
Examining Gibraltar where Hyang had pointed, Shin In-son looked at Hyang with a serious expression.
“It’s certainly an excellent position to plant a dagger. However, that area is Spanish territory. To occupy it, we must be prepared for armed conflict, and for armed conflict, we need justification.”
“Correct. That’s why we’ll ask Portugal and its allies for a port. Or permission to build one. The location is right here.”
Hyang pointed to another spot. It was the northern terminus of the iron horse route from Suez to the Mediterranean.
“The justification for port construction is simple: ‘Protection of goods and merchants exported from the Empire…'”
“That sounds reasonable, but will Portugal agree?”
To Shin In-son’s concern, Hyang still replied confidently.
“They will. Looking at the map, doesn’t Portugal’s situation resemble Silla’s? They’re building momentum and want to grow stronger. But beside them stands Spain, a powerful nation pressuring them. What strategy did Silla employ?”
“They allied with Tang. Is our Empire taking Tang’s role?”
“Exactly. Portugal and Spain are mortal enemies. Even now, when their ships meet at sea, they fight to the death, despite both countries accepting the Pope’s mediation. Remember the clause I mentioned earlier? ‘The Empire and Portugal guarantee the safety of vessels belonging to both countries.’ We’ll use it here.”
As Shin In-son envisioned the situation based on Hyang’s words, his eyes gleamed curiously.
“Does this mean that if we witness a battle involving Portuguese ships, we automatically intervene as treaty partners?”
“Precisely.”
“We’ll need to travel frequently between the leased port and the Azores Islands. We can’t afford to miss the timing.”
“Or we could simply move alongside Portuguese ships whenever they move. Aren’t Challenger-class warships famous for their cargo capacity?”
“That’s true.”
Shin In-son’s expression now resembled Hyang’s as he nodded in agreement.
After hearing this explanation, Shin In-son stroked his beard, reconsidering the feasibility.
After calculating various factors for quite some time, Shin In-son shared his opinion with Hyang.
“It’s an excellent plan, and if successful, it would be optimal for protecting the Empire’s interests, but the issue is personnel. For the plan to operate properly, we need many naval forces both in our homeland and in the New Frontier. It’s a plan that requires timely recruitment of talent.”
“The chieftains are already actively working on that aspect, so I believe it’s feasible. Besides, don’t we have the Monopoly Office?”
When Hyang mentioned the ‘Monopoly Office,’ Shin In-son smiled and nodded.
“I forgot about the Monopoly Office. Its existence will certainly be of great help.”
“Then, Admiral, can I entrust this great undertaking to you?”
“I shall dedicate myself completely!”
“Then I’m counting on you, Admiral.”
***
After delegating the task to Shin In-son, Hyang examined the map and organized the situation.
“We need to seize Gibraltar to bind Spain’s feet, just like England did. In the current situation, dealing with Spain is the top priority. If we can properly restrict Spain, we can definitely secure North America, and with some luck, we might even take Central America and parts of South America. No, if we just properly secure North America, there will hardly be any brave souls who dare to provoke the Empire.”