“Phew~.”
After letting out a long sigh, Wan continued speaking.
“This is Europe we’re talking about, yet you say it’s an exaggeration? Tsk!”
As Wan clicked his tongue, the ministers momentarily flinched and shrank like turtles. However, the ministers also had their points to make.
Representing them, Kim Jong-seo spoke up.
“Your Majesty, there is no error in what Your Majesty has said. However, in military affairs, everything doesn’t change just because weapons change. Military strategies suited to the new weapons must be prepared. Please consider the Manchu Rebellion and the battles in Liaodong of old.”
***
While Gyeongse’s growth played the biggest role in Joseon’s transformation into an Empire, an equally significant factor was the powerful army equipped with overwhelming firepower.
However, the Joseon army wasn’t mighty from the beginning.
During the ‘Manchu Rebellion,’ the Joseon army’s tactics were a mixture of medieval and early modern warfare.
The Joseon army’s tactics at the time involved units of swordsmen heavily armored in plate armor standing in front of lines of musketeers armed with percussion cap muzzle-loading rifles to protect them—a type of tercio tactic.
This alone provided formidable combat power, but it was insufficient against Ming.
Tercio tactics alone couldn’t overcome Ming’s overwhelming numbers.
Real change began as Joseon’s economy steadily grew, producing the Model Eul breech-loading rifle and the Model Eul gun cart (a Gatling gun), while artillery also advanced significantly.
However, as Kim Jong-seo said, Joseon didn’t become an Empire just because weapons changed.
Rather than the traditional method of two armies colliding head-on in broad plains, they suppressed Ming by using trench warfare and mobile warfare as their main tactics.
This was the point Kim Jong-seo was making.
***
At Kim Jong-seo’s words, Wan immediately countered.
“The Minister’s words are correct. It’s true that not just weapons but military strategies must change. However, in the previous battles at Suez, Portugal and the Ottomans became familiar with our Model Eul rifles and gun carts and used their own tactics. Is that all? While laying railways in Suez, our Imperial forces set an example.”
As Wan said, in the latter part of the Suez War, the Ottomans, Portugal, Florence, and France had introduced large quantities of the Empire’s Model Eul rifles and gun carts into battle.
Through trial and error using soldiers’ sacrifices in actual combat, they developed their own tactics.
Additionally, they had made extensive improvements while observing battles between Imperial forces and Mamluk armies disguised as bandits during the railway construction in Suez.
“…”
At Wan’s point, the ministers couldn’t easily speak. Watching them, Wan continued.
“Father worried about Europe and said this.”
***
When discussing explosive silver, Hyang had added these words.
“The biggest reason to pay close attention when explosive silver is developed in Europe is that among European nations, not a single one gets along with another.”
Hyang’s explanation could be summarized as follows:
“Again, the biggest problem is that among European nations, not one gets along with another. Portugal and Spain are like that, as are England and France, France and the Holy Roman Empire.”
“And the nations I mentioned have already encountered our Empire’s Model Eul rifles and gun carts. Once they create explosive silver, they’ll quickly catch up to the Model Eul rifles and carts.”
“And when nations armed with such new weapons gain confidence, war will break out quickly.”
“When war breaks out, that’s when things become serious.”
“War is an expensive endeavor. Therefore, new and superior weapons won’t spring up like mushrooms after rain. Instead, the craftsmen’s skill level will increase tremendously, as they’ll continuously refine weapons while mass-producing them for war.”
“This is precisely the problem. After the war ends and they catch their breath somewhat, European nations will use these craftsmen to create even more lethal and dangerous weapons.”
“Ah…”
Listening to Hyang’s explanation, Wan nodded repeatedly. Watching Wan, Hyang muttered to himself.
Neither jet engines nor rockets suddenly fell from the sky. The concepts and basic technologies existed before the war. That’s why not just Germany but also England and America developed jet fighters. Oh, except Japan.
Wait… Should atomic bombs be included in this category, or treated as an exception?
“Your Majesty?”
“Ah! I was thinking of something else for a moment. Where was I?”
Having let his thoughts wander for once, Hyang startled at Wan’s call and continued speaking.
***
“…Therefore, wouldn’t Europe, armed with weapons made from techniques honed through fighting each other, become a concern for our Empire?”
At Wan’s point, Hwangbo In bowed his head and continued.
“Your Majesty. We are well aware that European nations are enemies to each other. And it’s true they would become a concern if they used techniques honed through such fighting. However, firearms require considerable wealth not just to manufacture, but even more wealth is needed to produce the bullets, shells, and gunpowder for them. With Europe’s current economy, it would be difficult to raise armies large enough to concern the Empire.”
At Hwangbo In’s statement, all the ministers nodded.
Because that was the Imperial Army’s current situation.
The budget the Imperial Army requested annually kept increasing, but meeting all their demands was impossible.
Therefore, fierce power struggles erupted between the Ministry of Defense and Ministry of Finance every budget season.
Hwangbo In continued while keeping his head bowed.
“Your Majesty, the development of explosive silver in Europe is certainly not something to take lightly. However, giving it too much importance is also inappropriate. If we’re not careful, the Empire’s finances will become chaotic and the people’s lives will become difficult. As they say, ‘slow but steady like an ox.’ I believe it’s appropriate to move steadily while continuing to observe Europe’s movements. Moving hastily now would be overreacting.”
“So you’re saying given Europe’s current situation, we still have time?”
“That is correct.”
“Hmm…”
At Hwangbo In’s answer, Wan fell into thought.
It seems reasonable at first glance…
Hwangbo In’s analysis was accurate.
***
Europe began to truly dominate Asia after the Age of Exploration.
It became possible by securing overwhelming economic and military power based on Africa and the New World.
However, many things changed with Hyang’s intervention.
In history before Hyang’s intervention, Northeast Asian nations that had lived like frogs in a well with their doors barred were now actively engaging in foreign trade and strengthening their military power.
The biggest change was the Empire securing and developing the New Territories since its days as Joseon.
If they succeeded in securing Central America following North America according to the plan Sejong started and Hyang refined, the pie available to European nations would certainly shrink significantly.
In other words, Europe’s economic and military power would decrease proportionally.
***
“Hmm… One could think that way. However, the problem is that economy. Couldn’t European nations join hands and pick a fight with the Empire to obtain more wealth?”
At Wan’s point, Hwangbo In answered with a slight smile.
“Isn’t that why we devised ‘Operation Chicken Rib’ to prevent them from joining hands? Of course, they started fighting among themselves before we even acted.”
“Finding what they call the ‘New World’ is one thing, but joining hands to plunder our Empire is another matter entirely, isn’t it?”
At Wan’s persistent questioning, Hwangbo In answered without hesitation.
“Your Majesty. Even when people join hands, they divide into strong and weak, establishing hierarchy. Would it be different for nations? Please consider the Spring and Autumn period of China. Until a hegemon is determined, they won’t join hands.”
At Hwangbo In’s words, Wan countered again.
“And they’ll fight fiercely to determine that hegemon, and their swords will become even sharper. Really now… Don’t you think we’re just repeating the same words?”
At Wan’s words, Hwangbo In caught his breath briefly before answering.
“Of course, that will happen. However, Your Majesty, it’s human nature to avoid things that cause personal loss. They know well the Empire’s strength. Therefore, instead of targeting the Empire, they’ll target Ming and Japan. They’ll probably target Ming the most.”
“Ming and Japan… Hmm…”
“Indeed. Aren’t Ming and Japan famous for silver?”
After briefly pondering Hwangbo In’s words, Wan nodded.
“Thinking about silver, that makes sense…”
***
Ming—or rather, China—had long produced and used large amounts of silver. In Japan’s case, besides the jointly operated silver mines from the Joseon era, they were extracting considerable amounts of gold and silver from newly developed mines.
In contrast, the Empire was ‘officially’ a silver importer. Silver from Japan’s joint mines and silver purchased from Ming accounted for 80% of silver circulating in the Empire, with the remaining 20% being domestic production.
However, actual production from domestic mines was much greater. The Empire was quietly accumulating and storing this hidden surplus silver.
It was preparation for any unforeseen circumstances.
Given this background, when Europeans heard about ‘Eastern silver,’ they thought of Ming and Japan first. Indeed, the amount of silver exchanged in trade between Europe and Ming/Japan was substantial and increasing annually.
Therefore, Hwangbo In judged that European nations would target Ming and Japan rather than the Empire.
***
Seeing Wan’s understanding expression, Hwangbo In put strength in his voice.
“Your Majesty, the current situation can be summarized as follows:”
“France has created explosive silver, and other nations will certainly create it soon.”
“This is definitely a problem. However, there’s no need to act rashly.”
“Europe’s military power will certainly strengthen with explosive silver, but this military power won’t immediately turn toward the Empire.”
“Before that, a major war will occur to determine Europe’s hegemon.”
“Afterward, they will certainly turn their eyes eastward.”
“Their most likely targets are Ming and Japan.”
After explaining this far, Hwangbo In caught his breath briefly before concluding.
“As Your Majesty worried, the sharpening of their blades is indeed a problem. Therefore, it’s right that we also prepare. However, blindly buying new swords or sharpening all our blades would be foolish. I believe it most appropriate to carefully observe how long and sharp their swords are while selecting and sharpening suitable swords to match.”
At Hwangbo In’s words, Wan nodded.
“Right, no matter how sharp a new blade, a kitchen knife can’t match a longsword. Then let’s examine this aspect.”
Following Wan’s decision, not only the mainland but also the New Territories’ armies began to be turned upside down.
And Hyang, learning the full story through Wan’s letter, fell into contemplation.
“Ah shit… This is troublesome… Should I add some seasoning or not…”