Though the transformation of the New Frontier into imperial territory was slow to gain momentum due to the shackle of “low population,” the imperial territories steadily expanded, and more natives continued to pledge allegiance.

As the number of imperial citizens immigrating from the homeland gradually increased, Hyang and the New Frontier administrative officials maintained an optimistic outlook.

***

After the New Frontier was discovered and the successful crossing from the bridgehead to the eastern coast was completed, Sejong began promoting the relocation of imperial citizens.

Farmers were the primary relocation targets chosen by Sejong and Hyang.

“We’ve sent administrators and soldiers, of course, as well as craftsmen to operate Area 52. We also plan to establish monopoly offices. But self-sufficiency would be difficult with only the natives, wouldn’t it?”

Hyang immediately agreed with Sejong’s observation.

“Indeed. Based on the farming methods described in the reports, we cannot expect high yields from the natives.”

“I agree. We still don’t know the full potential of the New Frontier, but proper farming alone on such vast lands would yield tremendous results.”

At Sejong’s words, Hyang muttered inwardly.

‘Potential? That land’s very existence is a cheat key! Of course, farming alone would make it one of the top three powerhouses.’

Following Sejong’s decision, most of the early imperial immigrants to the New Frontier were farmers.

Sejong and Hyang chose “word of mouth” as the best method to relocate imperial citizens to the New Frontier.

“Wouldn’t forced relocation be more efficient, as in the past?” the ministers advised.

But Sejong pointed out the disadvantages of forced relocation.

“The northeastern region, though distant, is connected by land. The Large Snow Island requires crossing the sea, but it’s not that far away. The New Frontier, however, is different, isn’t it? Forced relocation would devastate the people’s morale, and the disadvantages would outweigh the advantages.”

As soon as Sejong finished speaking, Hyang continued.

“Furthermore, to implement forced relocation, we must offer something in return. Of course, providing vast farmland could be considered compensation, but isn’t that to be expected? In the past, pardons or freedom from slavery were offered, but isn’t that difficult these days?”

The ministers unconsciously nodded at Hyang’s point.

Forced relocation was never a good thing. People had to leave their familiar hometowns for strange and unfamiliar places.

The land they received in return was also problematic. Compared to the tiny plots they had farmed in their hometowns, they received vast tracts of land, but these lands needed to be cultivated into farmland.

Because of this, forced relocation was typically implemented by force.

Though forcibly implemented, there were standards:

• Criminals who had not committed serious crimes such as murder or robbery.
• Public slaves who had sold themselves due to poverty, along with their families.

Those in desperate situations were prioritized for relocation.

Such people would desperately cultivate the land and establish roots.

However, as time passed, the economy grew, and with military expansion, public safety stabilized.

And as a result of tax reforms, the number of public slaves decreased to near extinction.

Hyang pointed out this issue.

“Most of those remaining are government slaves, and the majority of these government slaves are those who committed treason and their relatives. Should we send them?”

At Hyang’s question, all the ministers shook their heads.

“That must absolutely not happen!”

“We cannot turn the hard-won New Frontier into a land of traitors!”

The ministers who had been advocating for forced relocation immediately dropped their opinions. Seeing this, Hyang discreetly turned his head to look at Sejong, who was on the royal dais. Sejong, grinning, nodded to Hyang.

***

Once the policy was decided, government notices were posted on walls of government offices throughout Joseon.

• We have secured new territory east of the Large Snow Island.
• We are recruiting those willing to relocate to this new territory.
• Farmers preferred.

The people who saw the notices discussed this among themselves, and rumors began to circulate.

• Even the land received in the northeastern region was vast, but compared to what one could get in the New Frontier, it’s just like a front yard.
• Of course, it needs to be cultivated, but they say the soil quality is amazing.

“Even the lands received during the forced relocation to the northeastern region long ago were said to be vast, but they’re like front yards compared to the New Frontier? And fertile soil too? Then I must go!”

Farmers from the northeastern region who had already benefited from the northeastern development were the first to mobilize. Following them, those with ambitions to become rich through farming began to move one by one.

And with that, Joseon’s real estate market began to fluctuate wildly.

This was because farmers who had decided to relocate were selling their farmland and houses. Of course, since the land ownership itself belonged to the king, what they sold were cultivation rights and rental rights.

“It’s a good opportunity for me so I bought it quickly, but Chil-seong, are you really planning to go?”

After completing the contract at the hall, Chil-seong, a hopeful immigrant who received such a question during the ensuing conversation, nodded confidently.

“I wouldn’t have sold if I wasn’t really going!”

“Of course, having cultivation rights to much larger land than here is a good thing, but farming isn’t easy, is it? Just finding labor will be a problem from the start.”

In response to his neighbor’s point, Chil-seong raised his hand and pointed toward the monopoly office.

“Isn’t there something good over there?”

In the direction Chil-seong pointed, a steam engine tractor was displaying its impressive form.

***

As agricultural steam engine tractors began to be produced stably in Area 52, the number of immigrants coming from the Empire started to increase more rapidly.

Sejong, who was administering the New Frontier, created policies and laws related to distributing land to these immigrants.

According to the policies and laws created by Sejong, the land that immigrants would receive was outside the natives’ farmlands.

• “Vast lands requiring cultivation are spread in all directions. Why create conflict by taking the natives’ lands?”

No one dared to challenge the words of Sejong, the imperial regent.

While the criteria for land distribution were established, the task of persuading the natives remained.

The issue was related to hunting, not farmland.

The natives had no complaints regarding farmland preservation. The problem was hunting. Most of the land distributed to immigrants overlapped with the natives’ hunting grounds.

“Well, hunting isn’t something that can be done in a small area…”

Understanding the natives’ complaints, Sejong offered them an alternative. What Sejong proposed was livestock (the six representative domestic animals: cattle, horses, sheep, pigs, dogs, and chickens).

• “By raising these livestock, you can obtain plentiful meat without the effort of hunting bison or deer.”

The natives were skeptical of Sejong’s proposal. However, as they observed their immigrant neighbors raising livestock and easily obtaining meat, they accepted Sejong’s proposal.

As a byproduct of these changes, Sejong ended up creating the first wildlife conservation area.

***

The land to be given to immigrants was home to an enormous number of bison and deer.

Large-scale hunting of these bison and deer took place to secure land, and the natives who had pledged allegiance raised objections.

• “Bison and deer have lived here since the time of our ancestors’ ancestors. Some tribes even believe that when ancestors die, their souls are reborn as bison and deer. Indiscriminate killing is not right. There are even tribes that have become hostile to us because of this.”

In response to the natives’ concerns, Sejong implemented what he had been considering for some time.

“Is that so? Then, why not create a place where bison and deer can live without worry of being hunted? The land is vast, so what’s the concern?”

Having made his decision, Sejong soon selected suitable land and designated it as a “hunting prohibition area.”

Administrators who saw the size of the region chosen by Sejong, and Hyang who later confirmed this through reports, shook their heads.

“The size of the hunting prohibition area is larger than the three southern provinces (Gyeongsang, Jeolla, Chungcheong) combined, and there’s a possibility of several more being created?”

***

While Hyang was administering the New Frontier in place of Sejong, some changes occurred in this hunting prohibition area.

“There are too many bison and deer in the hunting prohibition area? And poachers are roaming around?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Hmm…”

After pondering for a moment, Hyang ordered the administrator.

“Tell Duke Jinpyeong to come.”

“Yes.”

A few days later, Jinpyeong, who had received Hyang’s order, entered the temporary palace.

“Your Majesty, you called for me?”

“I called you because there’s something to do related to the railway you’re constructing.”

At Hyang’s words, Jinpyeong’s face tensed up.

“Wh-what is it, Your Majesty?”

“How is the expansion of the railway from Chosi to here progressing?”

“It’s proceeding smoothly, Your Majesty.”

“Then, now you’ll build a railway crossing east to west from the south of that, correct?”

“Yes. We’re preparing now.”

“Then make that route pass through the hunting prohibition area.”

“Pardon?”

Hyang explained his thoughts to Jinpyeong, who wore a puzzled expression.

As Jinpyeong listened to Hyang’s explanation, he finally showed a look of understanding.

“So, you intend to open the hunting prohibition area for a specified period and permit hunting, Your Majesty?”

Hyang nodded at Jinpyeong’s words.

“That’s right. That way, we can prevent the bison and deer from multiplying excessively and also prevent poachers. Should we call it a limited hunting area instead of a hunting prohibition area?”

Jinpyeong nodded at Hyang’s words.

“I understand, Your Majesty. However, changing the route will increase construction costs.”

“We’ll charge those who hunt in the limited hunting area for that.”

“Ah…”

At Hyang’s words, Jinpyeong muttered inwardly.

‘As expected, brother! You never do anything that would result in a loss!’

Thus, one of the New Frontier’s famous tourist attractions was born.

***

Through various trial and error and adjustments, the New Frontier was steadily becoming imperialized.

The natives, who observed farmers who had immigrated from the Empire using cattle, horses, and steam tractors for extensive farming, began to use cattle, horses, and steam tractors on their tribal agricultural lands.

Among the natives who had benefited from this process, those quick with calculations immediately visited imperial government offices to request their own farmland.

“Hmm… Because the farmland is currently owned by the entire tribe, we cannot give you separate cultivation rights…”

The administrator continued, pointing to a spot on the map.

“Here, this place, there is a suitable location quite far from the tribe where you currently live. However, as I just mentioned, it’s far from your current tribe. Do you still want to go?”

After contemplating for a long time, the native nodded.

“I’ll go.”

Thus, the land of the New Frontier began to be steadily developed.

And upon receiving the report, Hyang muttered to himself.

“Is this ‘Far and Away’ with no Uncle Tom or other white people?”

Recalling a movie related to western frontier development, Hyang chuckled.

“What does it matter? The people who were already living on this land are developing it themselves.”