Wakoku’s strategy of targeting niche markets proved successful.

Countries with substantial size, such as Dai Viet and Siam, purchased Type-B rifles and gun carts sold by the Empire.

This was partly due to their superior performance, but also because they were sold at prices lower than expected.

However, only the rifles and gun carts were sold cheaply.

For Type-B rifles and gun carts to perform properly, they required specialized ammunition. And the Empire made significant profits from ammunition sales.

Wakoku adopted a similar strategy.

For small countries that couldn’t afford Empire-made weapons—such as the small nations in the Philippine archipelago and various tribal nations in the Indonesian archipelago—Wakoku’s weapons offered adequate performance at reasonably low prices.

After selling their domestically manufactured firearms and artillery, Wakoku sold the gunpowder and ammunition for them with considerable markups.

However, with Ming as a powerful competitor, it was difficult to charge excessive prices.

The competition between Ming and Wakoku was particularly fierce in Luzon and nearby regions, where Chinese merchants had been established for generations.

But since the export of gunpowder weapons was illegal in Ming, most Ming firearms were smuggled, while Wakoku had the shogunate’s official backing, giving them a gradually increasing advantage.

***

As Wakoku’s[1] weapon sales thrived, the Empire gained unexpected benefits.

Dai Viet, Siam, and the larger kingdoms of the Indonesian archipelago—in other words, countries that purchased the Empire’s weapons—had rather poor relations with their neighbors.

The smaller countries facing military pressure from Dai Viet and Siam promptly purchased Wakoku’s weapons.

Though there was a clear difference in performance, this could be offset by effectively utilizing the natural environment. And the smaller countries made good use of this advantage.

As a result, large and small armed conflicts erupted almost daily throughout Southeast Asia.

Countries like Dai Viet and Siam clashed with surrounding smaller nations—especially the northern and southern kingdoms of divided Myanmar—while these smaller nations fought daily with bordering countries, including both larger nations like Dai Viet and Siam, as well as other similarly-sized small states.

These conflicts consumed massive amounts of ammunition and firearms, allowing the Empire to profit handsomely by selling ammunition and the obsolescent Type-B rifles and gun carts to them.

***

Upon receiving reports about this, Wan ordered his ministers:

“Let’s not make an issue of the flintlock rifles that Wakoku is manufacturing and selling.”

“We obey your command.”

The ministers accepted Wan’s decision without particular objection.

This was because raising issues about Wakoku’s flintlock rifles would have been unreasonable.

First, although the Empire had manufactured and sold flintlock rifles to Wakoku, the Empire itself didn’t even use them.

Second, since Ming also used this flintlock ignition system, it would be difficult for the Empire to claim intellectual property rights.

-“Though similar to what the Empire sold us, we referenced Ming’s designs.”

If Wakoku made such a claim, the Empire would have no effective counter-argument.

The same applied to the rifling grooves carved into the rifles Wakoku sold.

-“Since Ming’s rifles have rifling grooves, we carved them too!”

With such an argument, the Empire would again be at a loss for words.

Therefore, when this topic first came up, Wan recalled what Hyang had said:

-“The saying ‘successful replication is better than failed creation’ applies particularly to weapons. If you don’t create contracts from the beginning, you must abandon any claims to intellectual property rights. That’s how many loopholes exist in the weapons field.”

-“Ming and Wakoku are desperately trying to catch up with us even now. Especially in the weapons field. And at some point, they’ll nearly catch up. Particularly with rifles, it will become difficult to distinguish superior from inferior.”

-“The solution? Simple. We must keep thinking desperately and stay ahead. Even if we can’t help it with firearms, we must maintain overwhelming superiority in artillery.”

Wan and the ministers all agreed particularly with Hyang’s final point.

As a result, those who were already obsessed with cannons became even more fixated.

-“Artillery above all, whether on land or sea!”

-“Bigger, more powerful, longer-range artillery!”

-“What’s needed for offense? More artillery! What’s needed for defense? Even more artillery!”

-“Artillery is the truth of victory!”

This was the beginning of the “Artillery Department,” with its proud history and tradition.

***

The Ouchi Shogunate, which had seized control of Wakoku, devoted considerable efforts to solidify its power.

The shogunate focused most intensely on education and economic development.

In the national schools, modeled directly after the Empire’s public schools, children learned writing, and loyalty to the state and ruler.

However, here the ruler meant the shogun of the shogunate, not the emperor.

And to develop the economy, they implemented various policies.

Among these, mining exploration received the greatest emphasis.

“Coal and iron are most important for economic development! Magnetic sand has its limits! Find iron mines!”

The mining exploration carried out under Mochiyo’s strong support finally yielded results near the end of his rule.

Iron and coal mines were discovered in the Kumamoto region, and iron mines in the Morioka region (present-day Iwate).

“Kumamoto is fine, but Morioka is problematic.”

Upon receiving these reports, Mochiyo was deeply concerned.

The Kumamoto region was among those completely controlled by the Ouchi clan. However, the Morioka region was far from the shogunate’s center.

Although domains had been abolished through the abolition of the han system, the region was so distant that signs of unrest still appeared.

Shogunate officials engaged in heated debates over how to address this issue.

“Let’s develop Kumamoto first and postpone Morioka for later!”

“The existence of the mines is already known. If we leave them alone, illegal mining will flourish, and subversive groups could exploit this! We must develop them simultaneously!”

After intense debate, Mochiyo made his decision.

“First, we’ll develop the iron mines in Morioka and the coal mines in Kumamoto. We’ll dispatch shogunate troops to Morioka for direct management. That should prevent subversive elements from moving easily. We’ll first deplete the Morioka iron mines, then develop the Kumamoto iron mines.”

“Sir! A brilliant decision!”

All the officials bowed their heads in response to Mochiyo’s decision.

Following this decision, mines began to be developed in Kumamoto and Morioka.

With important iron and coal mines divided between north and south, efficient transportation became necessary.

As a result, the railway construction that had begun at the Empire’s request gained more momentum.

As these developments occurred in succession, all of Wakoku began experiencing growing pains from change.

Many people left their rural homes for cities and mines. Merchants and prostitutes flocked to railway construction sites and mines, seeking money flowing from these operations.

Those who acquired money began working for a better future for their children.

Consequently, more and more children crowded into the national schools.

And numerous academies and residential schools—a type of boarding school—were established for those seeking to advance through higher education.

Since these academies and residential schools weren’t official educational institutions, the shogunate had to establish “middle schools,” institutions of higher education, earlier than planned.

As Wakoku’s economy grew, its people gained confidence. With this newfound confidence, some began quietly voicing dissent.

“My lord, petitions have been submitted recently.”

Yoshinori, busy approving stacks of documents, straightened up at the mention of petitions.

“Petitions? What kind of petitions?”

“Many petitions suggest changing the term ‘gyeongse.'”

“Gyeongse? Why? Bring me the petitions.”

“Yes, sir!”

At Yoshinori’s command, officials brought trays containing the petitions.

The content of the petitions was largely similar:

-“Gyeongse” is a term created and used by the Empire.

-“Gyeongse” is an abbreviation of “gyeongsejemin” (governing the world and aiding the people).

-While “gyeongse” (governing the world) is important, “jemin” (aiding the people) is also important. Therefore, using only “gyeongse” is not right.

-The Empire is the Empire, and Wakoku is Wakoku. It is right to learn from the more advanced Empire, but we need not adopt everything, especially what is incorrect or unsuitable for our Wakoku.

-Therefore, it is right to use the term “gyeongje” instead of “gyeongse.”

“Hmm…”

Having read the petitions, Yoshinori stroked his beard, deep in thought.

From the clan head Morimi to Mochiyo and now to himself, the creed passed down was “talwaeipjo” (abandoning Japanese ways to adopt Joseon/imperial ways).

It meant discarding outdated customs and emulating the advanced Joseon, now the Empire, to become a strong nation.

‘But the Empire is the Empire, and we are we.’

“Are those who submitted these petitions Confucian scholars?”

Officials immediately answered Yoshinori’s question.

“Most of them are Confucian scholars.”

“Summon those who can be brought here immediately.”

“Yes, sir!”

About half a shichen (approximately one hour) later. A group of officials prostrated themselves before Yoshinori.

“Did you write these petitions?”

“Yes, sir!”

“Answer my questions.”

“Yes, sir!”

In the ensuing dialogue, the Confucian scholars’ answers largely echoed the petitions’ content. However, their final statement provoked Yoshinori:

“It is true that the Empire is an advanced power in all aspects. But just over 20 years ago, the Empire was a vassal of Ming. Now it has become a power that overwhelms Ming. If the Empire could achieve this, why would it be impossible for our Wakoku? We believe that abandoning the term ‘gyeongse’ and adopting ‘gyeongje’ is precisely a measure to affirm this. Isn’t it the same as choosing the name ‘national school’ instead of ‘public school’?”

“Hmm…”

After pondering the Confucian scholars’ words, Yoshinori made his decision.

“Your words are right. We cannot forever gaze only at the Empire’s back. Discuss with other officials and bring me a term to replace ‘gyeongse.'”

“Yes, sir!”

***

While movements to emerge from the Empire’s shadow began to arise, another heated debate was unfolding among Wakoku’s intellectuals.

It was a clash between the “Preservation Faction” and the “Abdication Faction.”

-The Emperor has already become a nominal figurehead. Therefore, he should abdicate to the shogun of the shogunate.

This was the Abdication Faction’s assertion. The opposing Preservation Faction argued:

-The Emperor is a descendant of Amaterasu and has maintained an unbroken lineage. Abdication is unthinkable.

The Abdication Faction scoffed at such arguments from the Preservation Faction.

“An unbroken lineage? What about when the Imperial Court split into Northern and Southern Courts and fought? It’s time for the Emperor to step down from history!”

“Exactly! The Emperor is a symbol of outdated customs! He must step down!”