At Wan’s declaration, the historians and scribes momentarily paused.
‘Isn’t His Majesty’s statement too arrogant?’
‘What if Florence’s movements go against the natural order?’
Though they paused with various thoughts, the historians and scribes began furiously typing on their typewriter keyboards again.
Their duty was to record all events and conversations happening in this place.
They could add their personal opinions after finishing the records.
***
While the historians and scribes thought Wan was being arrogant, Wan was sufficiently confident.
The Empire’s military currently exceeded about 600,000 combining army and navy.
Considering that Joseon’s military numbered about 300,000 at its founding, the Empire’s current size, and the neighboring Ming military—though Emperor Chenghua had implemented massive troop reductions, it was still 1.5 million—one might think this surprisingly small.
However, early Joseon’s ‘300,000-strong army’ was merely a number on paper.
During the chaotic transition from late Goryeo to early Joseon, many displaced people emerged, and more than a few fled to avoid military service or became slaves.
In fact, even during the Tsushima conquest that occurred early in Sejong’s reign, troops—especially naval forces—were so insufficient that they mobilized everyone from scholar-officials to entertainers from performance troupes who could sail ships or shoot bows.
But the 600,000 Imperial troops weren’t paper numbers but actually existing soldiers.
Moreover, they were elite troops proficient with their weapons.
Additionally, with administrative structures properly functioning from the Northern Territories to the New Frontier, rapid expansion up to at least 2 million was possible. Of course, the New Frontier, still having a long way to go, were excluded from reserve mobilization plans.
This was the Empire under Wan’s reign, and these were the Imperial forces.
Besides this, Wan had another reason for showing interest in Florence.
It was ‘combat experience.’
What the Imperial Army currently lacked was experience.
Most who had experienced the battles between Ming and Joseon had retired.
Those who had participated in the subsequent Yellow Sea naval battle were mostly high-ranking commanders.
In other words, most commanders who would need to fight on the front lines severely lacked combat experience.
Of course, the navy fought pirates while the army fought bandits in the Mongolian border regions. But the scale was so small, and pirates and bandits had nearly been wiped out, so only a few commanders gained experience.
At least the army had many officers experience real combat through the recent New Frontier expedition.
However, those they faced in the New Frontier expedition were natives armed with obsidian weapons.
The Imperial Army’s problem was that commanders with experience fighting enemies properly armed with guns and artillery had nearly disappeared.
Of course, the Imperial Army had been honed through harsh training close to actual combat, but training was training and real combat was real combat.
Experience was needed to face properly equipped enemies similar to the Imperial Army.
Therefore, they wanted to actively intervene in Florence’s movements.
And Hyang agreed with this.
- Maximum experience with minimal bloodshed, without straining the Empire.
This was Hyang and Wan’s thinking.
And Florence’s request for cooperation was the perfect opportunity.
European armies were well-armed with guns and artillery. Moreover, it was where nations likely to clash with the Empire for various reasons were concentrated.
If they made Florence’s army into another Imperial Army and deployed it in actual combat, carefully observing the results would properly show what needed fixing and changing.
***
“Florence’s request will certainly help our Empire in various ways. But we can’t hastily accept without knowing anything. Have reports come in about movements in other Italian cities besides Florence?”
“Yes. They’re here.”
After Hwangbo In finished speaking, a eunuch presented Wan with a tray containing thick books.
“Hmm…”
Reading through the report’s contents carefully, Wan raised his head to look at the ministers.
“Have you all read them?”
“Some have, some haven’t.”
At Hwangbo In’s answer, Wan stroked his chin briefly before giving Hwangbo In an order.
“This matter seems to require more than just the Foreign Ministry and Defense Ministry’s opinions. We need to hear opinions from all qualified to attend court sessions, so prepare. As quickly as possible.”
“Yes.”
“Tell the Crown Prince to attend as well.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
The Emperor’s order was immediately conveyed to working officials. Foreign and Defense Ministry officials gathered in one place and began preparing presentations, starting with making charts.
“Another all-nighter today.”
Meanwhile, Crown Prince Hyeon, receiving Wan’s order, stuck out his lower lip about eight times and grumbled.
“I have mountains of work to do…”
“His Majesty said to convey this: ‘The Crown Prince should now learn how the Empire’s state affairs operate and how to make judgments.'”
“I’ve already learned that to exhaustion every time we receive budget allocations…”
“He also said to convey this: ‘If you want to see your grandfather clicking his tongue, stay as you are.'”
“…Tell him I’ll definitely attend, that I’m truly honored to witness His Majesty’s governance firsthand.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
***
The next day, the prepared briefing began.
It was a briefing with even high-level officials who usually didn’t attend all present.
“…That concludes my presentation.”
“Good work.”
“Your grace is boundless.”
As the presenter bowed and withdrew, Wan turned toward the ministers. Both Wan and the ministers had poor expressions.
“Really now…”
“Hah…”
“Tsk!”
As negative reactions emerged from various places, Wan looked at Hwangbo In and asked.
“What does the Prime Minister think? Do you see their choice as appropriate?”
“It is not appropriate. If one’s own strength is insufficient, building strength is the orthodox and natural way. But borrowing foreign power because current strength is insufficient? This is heterodox and against natural order.”
“I agree.”
Following Wan’s words, most officials present nodded.
“Then if they bring in foreign powers to pursue their aims, do you think they’ll succeed?”
At Wan’s question, Kim Jong-seo stepped forward to answer.
“It will be extremely difficult. First, the foreign powers they seek to borrow strength from are enemies of each other, so they’ll block other foreign assistance. Second, when foreign powers enter, oppression will surely follow, so the people won’t welcome either the foreign powers or those who brought them in. If the people don’t welcome them, the possibility of success is extremely low. Finally, even if they succeed, lacking their own strength and merit, the foreign powers will claim the results.”
“I see… Any counterarguments?”
“…”
At Wan’s question, all ministers answered with silence. Nodding slightly, Wan continued questioning.
“Then what about my accepting Florence’s request? Our Empire is also a foreign power.”
To this, Kim Jong-seo stepped forward once again to answer.
“The circumstances are different.”
“Different circumstances?”
“Yes. Other cities seek to accomplish things by borrowing foreign power, but Florence asks for help growing their own strength. The circumstances are different.”
“I see. Then what can our Empire gain by accepting their request?”
At Wan’s question, Foreign Minister Shin Sukju stepped forward to answer.
“Florence is one of the prominent cities in Italy, famous for trade. If we grant them favor, we can more easily approach European and Ottoman regions using them as a stepping stone. Of course, our Empire doesn’t currently experience much inconvenience. But using Florence would make things even easier. Also, protecting our Empire’s interests in Suez would become smoother.”
Following Shin Sukju’s words, Defense Minister Jang Hang-seon stepped forward to answer.
“It helps militarily as well. Our Imperial Army lacks combat experience. Especially, experience waging war against large forces armed with guns and artillery is nonexistent except for the old battles at the Yalu River and Liaodong. Since most European armies are now armed with guns and artillery, if we make Florence’s army like the Imperial Army and deploy them in wars that occur as expected, we can learn and fix our shortcomings without shedding blood.”
“Good thinking.”
When Jang Hang-seon presented opinions similar to his and Hyang’s thoughts, Wan nodded with a satisfied expression.
Seeing Wan’s expression, all officials thought the same thing internally.
‘It’s decided.’
“Any other opinions?”
“…”
Having already grasped Wan’s intentions, no one stepped forward at Wan’s question about dissenting opinions—except for one person.
The protagonist in question was Lim Sun-wook, who had become Finance Minister.
“Your Majesty, while the Foreign and Defense Ministers’ words are reasonable, we must set limits.”
“Set limits?”
“Yes. Sending instructors in response to Florence’s request isn’t considered a major problem. However, allowing production rather than selling guns and artillery is a different matter.”
Lim Sun-wook’s continuing opinion summarized as follows:
- To other Italian cities and foreign powers, Florence producing Imperial weapons means we’re Florence’s ally.
Not just a simple alliance, but a military alliance.
- Looking at the current relationship between our Empire and Florence, they’re just good trading partners. But if we become allies, especially military allies, the Empire will need to deploy troops as necessary.
- Deploying troops to Florence would be enormously expensive.
- No matter how bad the situation, without limits, the Empire’s finances will suffer greatly.
“…Therefore, setting limits is absolutely the best course.”
At Lim Sun-wook’s words, Shin Sukju expressed opposition.
“Your Majesty, the Finance Minister’s words are reasonable in some respects but unreasonable in others. Not straining the Empire’s finances is reasonable. That we’d become military allies is also reasonable. However, saying we shouldn’t mobilize troops beyond predetermined limits even if war breaks out and the tide turns against Florence is unreasonable. If we do that, Europeans will think our Empire lacks integrity, and no country will want to maintain good relations with the Empire. No one likes those who ingratiate themselves then betray. This would be penny wise and pound foolish.”
This began a heated debate between Shin Sukju and Lim Sun-wook.
It was a fiery debate between Shin Sukju arguing ‘We must accept massive losses for the future’ and Lim Sun-wook insisting ‘The Empire must not be strained under any circumstances.’
Meanwhile, unexpected victims emerged from the sparking debate between them.
They were the historians and scribes.
Furiously typing to record their debate, they screamed internally.
‘Ow! My fingers!’
‘Shit! Should I just use a gold pen?’