During this period, European shipbuilding technology was developing explosively.
Compared to history before Hyang’s intervention, this change had accelerated by at least 100 years.
Behind this development was, as always, the Empire—and ultimately, Hyang.
Until Hyang’s intervention, most European ships were divided between galleys in the Mediterranean region and cogs in the North Sea region.
Cogs were widely used in Northern Europe, where they had to contend with the rough seas of the North Sea and North Atlantic, while galleys served as the center of trade in the Mediterranean region, famous for its calm waters.
In this situation where development had proceeded along two separate paths, the carrack and caravel were born.
Without Hyang’s intervention, it would have taken nearly 100 years for the galleon to emerge from this situation.
This was due to technological limitations and limits on available information.
They had discovered the existence of the New World, which they hadn’t known about before, and as voyages grew longer and trade volumes increased, they increasingly needed larger ships.
But this changed due to Hyang’s intervention.
****
As goods from Joseon, called the ‘Land of Flowers,’ and later from the Empire, flooded into Europe, many European merchants flocked to Alexandria.
And naturally, interest in this ‘Land of Flowers’ that made these wondrous items grew increasingly high.
In this atmosphere, letters sent by monks and scholars who had entered the ‘Land of Flowers’ consistently contained stories about the ships used by the ‘Land of Flowers’ navy.
-Ships larger, faster, and more powerful than any ship they had ever boarded.
“What kind of ships are they?”
Those whose curiosity was piqued crossed the desert heading for Suez.
However, those who moved first were the shipbuilders of Portugal and Italy.
“How can this be…”
The Portuguese and Italian shipbuilders, whose pride had soared to the heavens while building carracks and caravels that could boast the best performance of the time, were greatly dismayed when they saw the Challenger-class warships anchored at Suez.
“So it wasn’t just boasting…”
Shocked by the sight of the Challenger-class warships, European shipbuilders soon began improving their carracks and caravels based on these models.
And their challenge was welcomed by the ruling classes of Portugal, Spain, and Italy.
This was because the larger and more powerful the ships that emerged, the greater profits they could gain from African trade.
***
With firm support from the ruling classes, European shipbuilders devoted all their efforts to developing new ships—specifically, Challenger-class warships.
However, this was by no means an easy task.
The Challenger-class warships were ships that Hyang had created by maximizing his otherworldly knowledge.
Of course, it was within the range possible with Joseon’s technological level at the time, but Hyang boldly incorporated what could be called ‘over-technology’ when necessary.
The exterior of the Challenger-class warships created this way resembled late-period galleons or early ships of the line. However, inside they were monsters closer to late-period ships of the line.
It was impossible for European shipbuilders of the time, when carracks and caravels were cutting-edge, to immediately catch up with such monsters.
Realizing that the task wasn’t easy with their abilities alone, European shipbuilders began looking for auxiliary means.
“Let’s recruit shipbuilders from the ‘Land of Flowers’!”
“While we’re at it, let’s recruit the person who first designed those ships!”
However, even this wasn’t easy.
The places that built Challenger-class warships were two shipyards in Wonsan and Dongbing Harbor. And these places were heavily guarded.
Even if they managed to make contact with technicians with difficulty, all the ‘Land of Flowers’ technicians shook their heads.
“I don’t want to go.”
“If it’s about money, we can pay any amount…”
“It’s not about money—I’d be charged with treason and punished. I absolutely cannot go.”
“Then can you at least tell us who designed those ships?”
“The Crown Prince.”
“Crown Prince?”
When Europeans learned that ‘Crown Prince’ referred to Hyang and what Hyang had created and distributed, they couldn’t close their mouths.
“All of this was done by one person?”
“Is this country’s prince a monster?”
***
Having failed to find auxiliary means, European shipbuilders had no choice but to move according to orthodox methods.
They set up camp at Suez and thoroughly sketched the exteriors of the Challenger-class warships. Others disguised themselves as merchants to board the ships and examine their internal structure.
Of course, the Empire’s sailors weren’t fools either, so they thoroughly blocked attempts to enter the most crucial parts of the warships.
Nevertheless, European technicians who secured some information created new ships based on this.
Thus, European ship development accelerated by about 100 years.
This was a remarkable result among countries excluding the Empire and Ming.
The Empire had already taken several steps ahead, and Ming had steadily evolved its junks.
Japan, which had poor shipbuilding technology compared to the Empire or Ming, ended up recruiting European shipbuilders at tremendously high prices.
When Hyang later received this report, he shook his head and muttered to himself:
“Back then it was arquebuses, now it’s ships?”
***
“Hmm… Japan is bringing in European shipbuilders to build ships capable of long-distance voyages… And once long-distance voyages become possible, they’ll choose southward expansion?”
“That is correct.”
“Hmm… Southward expansion… Southward expansion…”
Wan, who had been mulling over the term ‘southward expansion’ with a serious face, asked Hwangbo In:
“Didn’t I hear last time that Europeans are heading not only west but also south?”
“Yes. Such intelligence continues to come in.”
At Hwangbo In’s answer, Wan asked again with an even more serious face after thinking of something:
“Don’t tell me… have they already started the ‘Chicken Ribs Operation’?”
“No. The ‘Chicken Ribs Operation’ still only exists on paper.”
“Then how?”
“As Emperor Emeritus said, it seems to have ignited on its own.”
“Ignited on its own?”
“That is correct.”
“Hmm…”
At Hwangbo In’s answer, Wan stroked his chin and fell into thought.
***
After Sejong advocated active foreign trade, the Joseon Navy continued securing sea control and exploring around shipping routes.
Especially after building a naval base in Temasek—now Singapore—and seizing control of the Malacca Strait, the navy searched the surroundings even more actively.
Ironically, those who provided the greatest help to the Joseon Navy at this time were the overseas Chinese who had taken root in Malacca, Malaya, Sumatra, and Luzon.
Driven by the desire to trade in Joseon’s goods, the overseas Chinese moved actively.
The most useful help provided by the overseas Chinese was the data about surrounding regions that they had recorded for generations.
Based on data obtained from the overseas Chinese, the Joseon Navy could conduct more efficient exploration.
As data analysis and exploration progressed, new reports were submitted to Sejong and Hyang.
-Rumors are circulating about a huge land to the south.
-Similar stories exist among different native tribes, suggesting very high credibility.
After setting the stage like this, Sejong, who had reviewed reports filled with whining of ‘Give us budget. Give us ships. Give us people,’ looked at Hyang.
“What do you think?”
“What does Father intend to do?”
After pondering briefly, Sejong told Hyang his decision.
“Our Joseon is already concentrating much effort on the New Land. It’s too much to extend our hands to the south as well. What do you think?”
“This son also thinks it would be excessive.”
“Oh?”
At Hyang’s answer, Sejong wore an expression of surprise.
“How unexpected. You who led so eagerly when the New Land was discovered, now you’re being cautious.”
“It’s still regrettable even now. However, why did the saying ‘too much is as bad as too little’ come about?”
“That’s true.”
Thus Sejong did not authorize the ‘Southern Exploration.’
Afterward, the forgotten ‘Southern Exploration’ surfaced again when Joseon had changed to the Empire and Hyang was scheming to pass the throne to Wan.
-Now the development of the New Land is proceeding stably.
-Then we should now search the south that we’ve put aside.
-Europeans are already arriving in Luzon after going around Africa.
-If Europeans hear rumors about the continent said to be in the south, they’ll flock there immediately.
-If a continent really exists in the south and Europeans seize it, it will be a great loss to the Empire’s national interests.
-We must resume exploration even now.
-So give us money, give us people, give us ships.
“What do you think?”
At Hyang’s question, Wan, who had been thinking carefully, cautiously opened his mouth.
“Regrettably, I think it’s impossible now.”
“The reason?”
“Though the development of the New Land is proceeding stably, it still requires much wealth and many people. The cost of exploration itself is a problem, but even if a continent is really discovered, it will be problematic.”
“So it’s impossible?”
“That is correct. Have I perhaps thought wrongly?”
As Wan watched Hyang’s expression, Hyang smiled slightly and answered:
“I also think it’s impossible. However, the reason is somewhat different.”
“What reason is it?”
At Wan’s question, Hyang answered immediately:
“If there really is a continent there—no, there must be since many natives spoke of it. Then that place will become chicken ribs for the Empire.”
“Chicken ribs? I humbly submit that I cannot understand why it would be chicken ribs. No, even if it’s chicken ribs, wouldn’t it be better for us to occupy it first?”
“There are cases where abandoning something brings more profit than keeping it. The rumored southern continent is exactly such a case.”
Hyang explained the reason to Wan.
-If the rumored southern continent exists, the shipping route to get there is the problem.
We certainly control up to the Southwest Islands, but from south of Luzon, large and small sultanates and tribes have already established themselves. Not only would establishing diplomatic relations with or suppressing each of them cost much wealth, but maintaining control afterward would also cost much wealth.
-Because as you said, European powers have entered up to Luzon. If they incite the natives or sultans to antagonize the Empire, things become complicated.
This is what’s different from the New Land.
“Ah…”
At Hyang’s words, Wan finally nodded as if understanding.
The route from the Empire’s mainland to the New Land belonged entirely to the Empire. However, various countries had already established themselves along the route to Suez.
“That’s not all. Humans are greedy animals. And to satisfy their greed, even enemies routinely join hands.”
“Even enemies join hands…”
As Wan carefully pondered Hyang’s words, he looked at Hyang with surprised eyes.
“Don’t tell me! You’re saying various countries will unite to invade the Empire?”
At Wan’s words, Hyang nodded and continued:
“It’s entirely possible. If the Empire takes too much—no, takes everything profitable—they will unite as one to try to tear at our Empire. No matter how powerful the Empire is, if they unite and attack like that, we’ll have no choice but to perish. So we throw them the chicken ribs and take only the most delicious parts. Those hungry wolves will fight among themselves to claim those chicken ribs.”
“Ah…”
At Hyang’s explanation, Wan nodded.