As soon as the northern sea route opened with the arrival of spring, the Empire organized a transport fleet. Kim Jong-seo took on the role of chief overseer to ensure the successful coordination of tasks such as determining the types and numbers of vessels in the fleet and scheduling.
Some said it was excessive for Deputy Prime Minister Kim Jong-seo to be involved, but many believed that someone of Kim Jong-seo’s caliber was necessary for the operation to run smoothly.
This was because it was the Empire’s first large-scale expedition.
Of course, the Empire had experience with wars and battles that mobilized even more troops, like the wars in Liaodong and the Yellow Sea Naval Battle.
However, at that time, most supplies and troops had been transported by land. This was the first time for sea transportation, especially long-distance transportation and expedition between the mainland and the New Frontier.
That’s why Kim Jong-seo became the chief overseer.
***
“It’s fortunate that Area 52, which has settled in the New Frontier, is doing its part. Whew~.”
Kim Jong-seo, who was examining the records of supplies to be loaded onto the transport ships, sighed with an expression of relief. However, while reviewing the list, Kim Jong-seo shouted at Han Myeong-hoe with a stern look.
“Listen, Apgu! Aren’t these numbers wrong! Are you not going to do your job properly! Should I send you to the Records Office?”
At Kim Jong-seo’s loud voice, Han Myeong-hoe quickly ran over and bowed his head.
“I’m very sorry!”
“If you’re sorry, don’t create things to be sorry about!”
“I’m very sorry!”
“Review it again and bring it back!”
“Yes, sir!”
Watching Han Myeong-hoe quickly gather the documents, Kim Jong-seo continued his scolding.
“Have you forgotten that this is the Empire’s first large-scale expedition, so we must examine everything properly! I hope you haven’t forgotten that your name will also be on the report sent to His Majesty!”
“I will do my best.”
***
When Han Myeong-hoe first entered as the Vice Minister of the General Affairs Department, the surrounding looks were not favorable.
- A man who achieved overnight success just because he had served close to His Imperial Majesty since he was the Crown Prince.
Such backbiting was applicable not only to Han Myeong-hoe but to all four of them.
Kim Jong-seo, who was then the Minister of General Affairs, gave this advice to Han Myeong-hoe:
“Work until you drop. If you make a mistake, it’s not just you who gets blamed, but it also tarnishes His Majesty’s reputation. What could be more disloyal than damaging the reputation His Majesty has built since his days as the Crown Prince?”
To Kim Jong-seo’s entreaty, Han Myeong-hoe bowed his head and replied:
“I will do my very best!”
“I have high expectations.”
Afterward, Han Myeong-hoe did his best. And Kim Jong-seo drove him hard.
“If His Majesty kept you close, that means you have ability, right? But is this all you can do?”
“I will try harder!”
Perhaps thanks to such efforts, the unfavorable gazes toward Han Myeong-hoe and the other four gradually disappeared. But since they hadn’t completely vanished, the four couldn’t relax their vigilance.
***
“I’ll say it again, this expedition is the Empire’s first large-scale naval expedition! There can’t be even the slightest mistake! I’ll say it once more, your name will also be on the report that goes up to His Majesty. Don’t forget that it was His Majesty who appointed you!”
“Yes, sir!”
After answering loudly, Han Myeong-hoe gathered the documents and left Kim Jong-seo’s office.
Once outside, Han Myeong-hoe looked up at the sky and sighed.
“Whew~. I’m well past fifty, yet I’m still in a position to be scolded like this… Is there anything more ridiculous?”
After grumbling at the sky, Han Myeong-hoe looked toward the building where the prime ministers’ offices were located and muttered.
“Those gentlemen are already over eighty and still going strong. Perhaps it’s true that ‘to become a prime minister, longevity is essential’?”
Returning to the General Affairs Department while making remarks mixed with jokes and truth, Han Myeong-hoe shouted as soon as he passed the entrance.
“Everyone under me, come here immediately!”
Bang-clatter!
Startled by Han Myeong-hoe’s shout, the executives hurriedly gathered in his office. Han Myeong-hoe threw the report in his hand onto the desk and shouted.
“Is this how you’re going to work!”
“We’re very sorry!”
“If you’re sorry, don’t do things to be sorry about!”
The mid-level and low-level officials who heard Han Myeong-hoe’s shouting from outside let out small sighs.
“They’re all going to get scolded in succession…”
“This is why I hate the layer-by-layer system…”
***
Through all sorts of struggles and trial and error, the expedition force steadily prepared for departure.
But as Kim Jong-seo had said, the burden was greatly reduced as Area 52 operated normally in the New Frontier.
Various weapons and ammunition, gunpowder were being produced smoothly in Area 52, and horses and cattle were growing vigorously in the vast fields of the New Frontier.
Thanks to this, on the Empire’s mainland, most preparations would be complete just by preparing the soldiers, food for the soldiers to eat during the voyage, and medicines.
The biggest headache for the officials now was the issue of transport means and the natural environment.
Even after mobilizing almost all ships, leaving only the minimum naval forces for the defense of the Empire, it was impossible to transport 30,000 troops at once.
- At least 10 or more trips.
The military department had concluded that at least 10 or more round trips would be needed to transport 20,000 troops.
Considering the time required for round trips to the New Frontier and the northern sea route that freezes from early winter, it would take at least a year just for transportation, and that was only possible if they didn’t suffer damage from typhoons or other natural disasters.
“It would be nice if we had big ships…”
“It would be best if we had large transport ships like the Assault Ghost Ships…”
Those involved, especially the navy, couldn’t hide their regret as they looked at the Assault Ghost Ships.
***
Not only the navy but also merchants—everyone related to ships—keenly felt the need for large vessels.
- Bigger ships with more bigger guns!
If this was the navy’s slogan, the merchants’ was:
- Bigger ships that can carry and transport more cargo!
The demand for bigger ships grew like this, but it wasn’t an easy task.
This was because the ships they demanded weren’t wooden ships but iron ships.
Even in the history before Hyang’s intervention, battleships or merchant ships larger than the Challenger-class warships were made of wood.
However, people who had seen the Assault Ghost Ships came to believe that ‘big ships must be iron ships.’
“We’ve already launched several iron Assault Ghost Ships, so why can’t we make bigger ships?”
Navy officials and merchants would talk like this, and every time the craftsmen of Area 51 heard such remarks, they cursed.
“Damn! Let them try to make it themselves!”
“If it could be done by just talking, we would have launched 100-jang (about 300m) iron ships by now and still have more to spare!”
Iron and wood were materials with completely different characteristics. And warships and transport ships were different from the design stage.
This meant that countless trials and errors still awaited, which meant more time and budget were needed. While time couldn’t be helped, the budget was the problem.
In this situation, the news that Crown Prince Hyeon was fascinated by iron ships was the best news of all.
Having seen the Assault Ghost Ships, Hyeon became completely enthralled with iron ships and obsessively sought information about them.
Seeing this, Jeong In-ji and those related to Area 51 all thought of ‘Duke Jinpyeong.’
“Though they are uncle and nephew, that bloodline doesn’t go away…”
“Since the Emperor Emeritus was like that…”
However, the faces of the shipbuilding-related personnel in Area 51 began to brighten.
“The Crown Prince is interested? That’s a thousand blessings!”
While the shipbuilding personnel’s expressions brightened, the flying machine personnel’s expressions grew darker.
The flying machine research department was beloved by the Emperor, but the real power in Area 51 of the research institute was held by the Crown Prince. It was crystal clear that more budget would be allocated to that direction since the Crown Prince was fascinated with iron ships.
Of course, Jeong In-ji would coordinate the budget once, and Emperor Wan would ultimately adjust and approve it. But it was certain that at least a little more budget would go to the shipbuilding research department since the Crown Prince had thrown his weight behind it.
It was natural that if one side received more from a limited budget, the other side would receive less.
While the shipbuilding research department and the flying machine research department experienced contrasting fortunes, there were those who remained carefree.
These were the engine research department and the cannon research department.
“No matter how much they make a fuss, without engines, it’s all for nothing.”
As the engine research department staff said, the Empire was focusing on the modification and improvement of steam engines.
The same was true for the cannon research department. With the Ministry of Defense behind them, and with Ming and Japan on either side, there was little chance the cannon research department’s budget would be cut.
“But you know what? Despite everything, isn’t life better these days? Is it because His Majesty is in the New Frontier?”
“Right? It’s because His Majesty isn’t here, and old man Jang Yeong-sil is gone too.”
The craftsmen of Area 51 were still busy with many tasks, but they were psychologically more comfortable without the two incomprehensible ones: Hyang and Jang Yeong-sil.
They didn’t know what Hyang was planning in the New Frontier.
***
“Let me see… What was rubber called in the local language? Hmm… Ah, that’s right! Chicle! It must be chicle!”
Having recalled the word ‘chicle,’ Hyang immediately called for a eunuch.
“Go and bring ‘Shang’ here.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
After a moment, Shang, who had been summoned, prostrated himself on the floor and paid his respects.
“I pay my respects to Your Majesty.”
“Your imperial language is still awkward, but it has improved a lot.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty!”
“Keep working hard.”
“Yes, Your Majesty!”
After praising Shang’s much-improved imperial language skills, Hyang got to the point.
“By any chance, do you know of a substance that forms an elastic mass when the sap from a tree dries?”
“What is ‘elastic,’ Your Majesty?”
“Hmm… Let’s see…”
After a series of questions and explanations, Shang, having finally understood what Hyang wanted, remained silent as he searched his memory. After a moment of recollection, Shang answered with a bright face.
“Ah! There is, Your Majesty! There is a tree that produces such sap! It is called chicle!”
At Shang’s answer, Hyang’s face also brightened.
“Oh! Is that so? Can you identify this tree?”
“Yes, Your Majesty!”
“I see! Then how does your tribe use this sap?”
“In my tribe, when the rainy season comes, we apply it to our feet. After applying it thickly and letting it dry, we trim it appropriately. This keeps the feet dry and comfortable.”
‘Natural rubber boots, I see.’
Murmuring inwardly at Shang’s explanation, Hyang tilted his head, looking at Shang’s face.
“Your expression doesn’t look good. What’s the matter?”
“We had to offer that sap to the Aztec bastards. Then the Aztecs would make balls with it and make us compete among ourselves.”
“Hmm… Did they kill the losers?”
“Yes…”
“Tsk! I understand. We plan to punish them soon, so you should also prepare.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty!”
After sending Shang away, Hyang clicked his tongue again and muttered.
“There’s definitely a different feeling between reading about it in records and actually hearing about it… Anyway, the punitive forces will be coming soon, so things should be sorted out.”
Having finished his thoughts on the Aztecs, Hyang moved on to his real interest.
“By the way, while mentioning lightning, I’ve even created people called ‘thunder-force users,’ but how do I make this more intriguing? Should I fly a kite on a day when there’s actually lightning?”