“Hmm…”
Hyang maintained a deliberately solemn expression as he looked at Lee Jing-ok.
Seeing Lee Jing-ok’s expression that seemed to say, “You have it, don’t you? Hand it over now!” as if he already knew everything, Hyang felt an unexpected stubbornness rise within him.
‘I’m not giving it up that easily!’
This stubbornness was caused by a situation different from the usual interactions between Hyang, the military, and other officials.
-Hyang creates something and insists on using it.
-The actual users, soldiers or officials, are indifferent or opposed because they don’t understand its utility. Especially financial officials who strongly oppose it due to budget concerns.
-Later, when Hyang’s invention proves its worth in real situations, those who opposed are left speechless.
This had been the custom and tradition until now, but Lee Jing-ok had created the opposite situation.
As a result, Hyang, feeling slightly stubborn, raised an objection that wasn’t really an objection.
“Hmm… Did you come up with this weapon idea after arriving here?”
“No, Your Majesty. I had similar thoughts back on the mainland.”
“Just you? Then perhaps you’ve misjudged something?”
“N-no, Your Majesty! There were quite a few young colleagues who had similar thoughts!”
“Then why wasn’t it developed? As far as I know, there are several craftsmen and researchers in Area 51 who have dedicated their lives to developing new battle carts?”
Hyang’s statement was true.
There were several individuals who, impressed by Hyang’s influence—specifically, the various firearms Hyang had created—had dedicated their lives to creating new firearms.
Evaluating the extraordinary firearms these people created—such as combining a pistol with a military sword—was one of Hyang’s pleasures.
To Hyang’s observation, Lee Jing-ok replied with a slightly embarrassed expression.
“It went against the Empire’s military action principles, and there were those who believed cannons were still superior to battle carts…”
At Lee Jing-ok’s answer, Hyang nodded.
“It’s true that the Empire’s military policy is defense-oriented. And the Byeongshik battle carts fit well with that…”
***
The Empire’s military foreign policy was “absolute defense priority.”
-Never strike first before being hit first.
This was the most powerful prerequisite governing the Empire’s military actions.
This prerequisite came about due to the Empire’s circumstances.
-Considering the Empire’s northern territories, surrounding islands, and New Frontier, there’s no need for territorial expansion. -War is an event that places a great burden on the imperial finances. The Empire’s economy is not yet robust. -The biggest problem creating the two constraints above is population. The Empire still lacks population. If it had about one-third of Ming’s population—about 30 million—it could overcome these two constraints.
Because of these weaknesses, the Empire had insisted on a thoroughly defense-centered military foreign policy.
-Block enemy offensives using cannons and battle carts from solidly fortified defensive positions, then counterattack to punish the enemy.
To operate this doctrine more efficiently, considerable funds were invested in reconnaissance devices like flying kites and communication networks using light signal communicators.
However, there were also considerable counterarguments. Of course, these weren’t suggesting changing the prerequisite itself, but rather switching from passive response to active response.
-No matter how solid our Empire’s fortresses are, they will fall to powerful attacks. Therefore, we must introduce the concept of “offensive defense.”
-When counterattacking, we must move quickly. However, the battle carts and cannons used by our imperial army are heavy, making it difficult to move quickly.
For a simple example, to move the most basic cannon of the imperial army, the Byeongshik General Cannon, at least six horses are needed. Training horses to be familiar with battlefield noise is a problem, but transporting the feed for these horses is also an issue.
The same applies to Byeongshik battle carts. To operate properly, each battle cart requires a squad to be assigned.
When pursuing retreating enemies or engaging in urban warfare against enemies hiding in collapsed towns, these heavy weapons are difficult to deploy in time.
To those who argued for the “development of lighter cannons and battle carts,” the mainstream opposition responded:
-In the case of battle carts, while a squad needs to be assigned, two soldiers can move them when necessary. This can be considered sufficiently light. -It’s true that cannons are heavy. Therefore, we’re deploying traction vehicles that are clearly more efficient than war horses. -Though cannons are heavy, their power is certain. If pursuing retreating enemies or urban warfare is the issue, they can be improved with longer range and more powerful cannons.
To summarize their argument:
“Is catching fleeing enemies the problem? Then use cannons that fire farther!”
“If enemies hiding in urban areas are the problem, use more powerful shells! Use shells that can turn even decent stone buildings to dust with one or two shots and clear out the urban areas! What’s the problem?”
‘Cannons, more powerful cannons, more cannons’
‘Cannons are the truth.’
With the strong love for powerful cannons across both the imperial army and navy, Hyang shook his head and muttered quietly.
“These cannon fetishists. Not ‘Mother Russia’ but ‘Mother Great Korean Empire’…”
***
Knowing this background, Hyang had nodded at Lee Jing-ok’s words.
But Hyang soon asked Lee Jing-ok with a mischievous expression.
“Wasn’t the general among the loudest of those who opposed?”
At Hyang’s question, Lee Jing-ok’s face reddened slightly as he answered.
“At that time, my vision was limited… I didn’t know we would be waging war in such jungle terrain.”
“Hmm…”
After pretending to consider Lee Jing-ok’s answer for a moment, Hyang soon nodded.
“I understand. Let’s see if we can find a solution. I’m not sure if we can make it in time, but I’ll try my best.”
“I am overwhelmed by Your Majesty’s grace!”
Watching Lee Jing-ok bow repeatedly as he withdrew, Hyang sighed.
“Sigh… I’m opening my bag of tricks sooner than expected? Hmm… Let’s just reveal one. Just one…”
Having made his decision, Hyang called for a eunuch.
“Contact Area 52 and summon Jang On. Tell him to come as quickly as possible.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Five days later, Jang On hurriedly entered the temporary palace and sought out Hyang.
“Your Majesty, I have come as ordered!”
“Welcome. There’s work to be done at Area 52.”
“Please command me!”
“We’re going to actually build the light battle cart that was sealed in Jang Yeong-sil’s safe last time.”
“Which light battle cart are you referring to?”
“The one that uses a magazine.”
“Ah! Oh?”
After hesitating momentarily, Jang On cautiously asked Hyang.
“But, Your Majesty, didn’t you instruct last time that the items sealed in the late Director Jang Yeong-sil’s safe should be left untouched for at least 30 years?”
“That’s right. But the situation is urgent, so there’s no help for it.”
“I understand. Then I’ll return immediately and begin.”
“Do that.”
After sending Jang On away, Hyang suddenly stood up from his seat a moment later.
“No! How could I let someone else have all the fun on such a good opportunity? Absolutely not! Eunuch!”
“Yes, Your Majesty!”
“Pack my things! We’re taking a business trip to Area 52! As I’ll be handling all affairs there for the time being, inform everyone!”
“Yes, Your Majesty!”
The eunuch who received the order stepped outside, looked back at Hyang’s office once, and shook his head.
“At times like this, he’s the spitting image of Duke Jinpyeong… Blood truly can’t be disguised…”
And when the officials heard Hyang’s order through the eunuch, they grabbed the backs of their necks in frustration.
“Argh! A business trip! That means it’s not just His Majesty who’s going!”
“Send official documents below! Tell them to send reports to Area 52 for the time being!”
***
Working with Hyang in New Frontier, the officials had grown craftier.
In the past, they would organize everything at the temporary palace in New Frontier, then send it to Area 52 or other business trip locations for approval or rejection.
Naturally, there was a lot of time wasted unnecessarily, and officials had to work through the night.
Then at some point, the officials realized one thing.
“Wait a minute… Area 52 has railroads too, and there’s plenty of space there to work, eat, and sleep. We just need to receive reports there, right?”
“That’s true?”
Once they realized this, officials moved with Hyang whenever he moved.
And work efficiency improved greatly.
That is, only for the officials working at the temporary palace.
Officials working in New Frontier’s local administrative agencies had to check the railroad timetable whenever they received orders to send reports to places other than the temporary palace.
While trains to the temporary palace passed almost once a day, trains to Area 52 departed from the temporary palace only once every two days. If they missed the timing, it could result in a disaster of at least a four-day delay.
The next to suffer were the officials in charge of operating Area 52.
For them, Hyang was like a mother-in-law, and the temporary palace officials who came with him were like sisters-in-law. No, Hyang was actually fine. The problem was the officials from the temporary palace who followed.
“Since we’re here, might as well check the operational status.”
With these words, officials from the temporary palace scrutinized Area 52’s operations thoroughly.
“Hmm? This expenditure seems strange?”
“Isn’t there a discrepancy in the input-output quantity here?”
Every time the officials from the temporary palace picked things apart, Area 52 officials had to bow their heads.
“S-sorry! The person in charge is still a rookie…”
“If they’re a rookie, you should have monitored them more closely.”
“W-we’re sorry!”
“If you’re sorry, don’t create situations to be sorry about! If you do this, we’re the ones who get scolded by His Majesty!”
“W-we’re sorry!”
“And there are several broken facilities in the accommodations, didn’t you notice?”
“We’ll fix them right away!”
“You should have checked before being pointed out. Don’t you want to advance in your career?”
“W-we’re sorry!”
“I’ll say it again, if you’re sorry, don’t create situations to be sorry about! I’ll be watching you!”
“Eek! We’ll do our best!”
In this way, Area 52 officials had to endure all sorts of hardships. But they had to bear these hardships. Most of the officials from the temporary palace were their superiors. Even those of the same rank were about to be promoted, so it would be a big problem if they made a bad impression.
***
In this situation, Hyang’s “business trip to Area 52” was announced throughout New Frontier via light signal communicators.
“Argh! Why now!”
“He hasn’t had any reason to go there lately!”
At the sudden news of the business trip, officials frantically searched for the cause.
“Found it!”
“Who is it?”
“General Lee Jing-ok!”
“S…”
The officials forcibly suppressed the curse words that were about to escape their lips.
Lee Jing-ok was the “Expeditionary Force Commander” and “former Minister of Defense.”
In the end, the officials chose action instead of words.
“I seem to be receiving a lot of tonics these days…”
Seeing the bundles of tonics piling up neatly in his office and quarters, Lee Jing-ok wore a bitter expression.
Because he knew too well what those tonics meant.
“Should I give some to you all?”
At Lee Jing-ok’s words, his subordinate generals unanimously shook their heads.
Ridiculously, among those who had sent tonics were several of his subordinate generals.