Making Florence into an empire didn’t mean making Florence into a powerful nation worthy of being called an empire.

It meant making Florence’s administrative structure, national ideology, and people’s way of thinking like the ‘Great Korean Federal Empire.’

The first to conceive this idea was Wan.

“Though I thought of it, it’s definitely not an easy task. The ministers won’t move easily. I need someone to add strength to me. To be precise, someone who can kick the ministers’ heavy backsides. Yet someone who won’t be criticized for it… There’s only one such person.”

Wan immediately began writing a letter.

Upon learning the general contents through Wan’s sealed letter, Hyang immediately gave orders.

“Are there still ships at Chosi? Tell them to wait.”

“Yes, Your Majesty the Emperor Emeritus!”

“I should visit Seoul after a long time. Inform the Grand Empress Dowager as well.”

“Yes, Your Majesty!”

Watching the eunuchs and officials who received his orders, Hyang muttered quietly.

“Now it’s ‘America style’? At least it’s fortunate the south is somewhat on track.”

Since these were people already familiar with Hyang, all preparations ended quickly.

Thanks to the officials’ swift handling, Hyang was able to return to Seoul quickly.

Wan, welcoming Hyang who had returned to Seoul, summoned Crown Prince Hyeon and the ministers.

“I’ve asked even the Emperor Emeritus to come here because there’s something urgent we must discuss together.”

At Wan’s words, the ministers tensed up once again.

Those father and son have a knack for catching people off guard! I can’t relax even a little!

If His Majesty has called even the Emperor Emeritus, he’s telling me to learn properly! I can’t miss anything! When I ascend to the throne, I can’t let the ministers look down on me!

The thoroughly tense Hyeon and ministers focused on Wan, afraid to miss anything.

“Ahem. Ahem!”

After clearing his throat with a light cough, Wan finally began speaking.

“I’m thinking it might be good to make Florence into an empire.”

Instantly, the quiet hall became noisy.

“Surely you don’t mean to merge Florence into the Empire’s territory? That’s impossible…”

“Do you mean to raise Florence like our Empire? That also has many problems…”

At Wan’s words that exceeded expectations by far, the ministers began murmuring, forgetting time, place, and dignity, while Hyang put his hand to his forehead.

You brat! How can you proceed like that there! Even I would flip out.

When the commotion didn’t easily subside, Hyang stepped forward.

“Quiet! Be quiet! His Majesty is present! What kind of disgrace is this! And you call yourselves subjects of the great Empire!”

At Hyang’s rebuke, the hall instantly became quiet.

“Tsk!”

At Hyang’s subsequent tongue-clicking, the ministers shrank like turtles, only watching carefully. No, even Wan was watching Hyang’s mood. Seeing this, Hyang, who was about to click his tongue, forcibly held back and turned to Wan.

“Please continue.”

However, Hyang’s eyes held a fierce light.

Let’s see after this ends!

***

Wan’s subsequent words could be summarized as follows:

• -To repeat, making Florence into an empire means making Florence like the Empire.

• -It means making Florence’s administrative structure, national ideology, and people’s way of thinking like the Empire’s.

• -According to the circumstances we’ve heard so far, Italy’s situation can be seen as similar to the ancient Five Hegemons of the Spring and Autumn period.

The difference is that the Five Hegemons succeeded each other to the position of hegemon across eras, while Italy’s hegemons currently coexist.

• -However, superiority and inferiority are gradually being determined among them, and among those who could be called the literati, talk and movement regarding Italian unification are appearing.

• -This is a situation very similar to Japan’s unification process.

• -Japan also had the Emperor who could be called the Son of Heaven, the Shogunate that could be called the hegemon, and various large and small lords that could be called feudal states in chaos.

• -The one who unified this chaotic Japan and became Japan’s king by receiving abdication from the Emperor was Ouchi Norihiro.

• -Norihiro could become king because he had an army armed and trained with the Empire’s weapons, and officials who had learned and trained in the Empire before returning.

• -And as these people who learned and trained in the Empire established themselves, Japan proceeded with policies like abolishing domains and establishing prefectures, promoting Confucianism while suppressing Buddhism, and equality of the four classes.

Looking at Japan now, it can be seen as another empire.

• -Also, as those who learned and trained in the Empire seized power, the southern coastline of the Empire’s mainland became peaceful.

This is partly because the Empire’s national power is mighty, but also because those who admire and wish to emulate the Empire seized power.

• -We transplant this Japanese case to Europe.

• -Though Florence’s power is currently strong, it lacks much to complete Italian unification.

• -Our Empire must not miss this opportunity.

• -To complete Italian unification, we persuade them that the best course is to accept and reform with the Empire’s administrative system and military system. We make Florence accept this.

• -Accepting a system means it’s difficult to succeed by merely accepting its form. They must understand the intent behind creating that system and live according to that intent.

• -This means everyone from Florence’s power holders to the literati and common people must think and live according to the Empire’s national ideology of benefiting all humanity.

• -In other words, Florence becomes another empire located in Italy.

• -Also, if Florence completes Italian unification, like Japan, they will come to admire the Empire and try to spread the Empire’s beauty widely in Europe.

• -Besides this, it’s also greatly helpful militarily.

• -Starting with Suez as representative, the interests of various European countries and the Empire have begun clashing in more and more areas.

• -This means armed conflict will occur between European countries and the Empire, though we don’t know when.

• -Looking at the current situation, despite diligent reconnaissance, we don’t properly know Europe’s military capabilities.

• -If the anticipated armed conflict becomes not a local dispute but total war, we must examine in advance whether the Imperial Army’s military system, strategy, and tactics are effective against European armies.

• -For this, we must make Florence like the Empire.

• -The battles that will occur in Italy are both local disputes and total war.

To the Empire and surrounding countries, they’re local wars occurring between Italy’s small cities, but to the parties involved, they’re total wars with survival at stake.

• -If we can make Florence like the Empire and then have them wage unification wars, we can preview the wars that will occur between the Empire and Europe.

• -Also, if war intensifies, foreign powers will certainly interfere. If we observe this well, we can know in advance the strengths and weaknesses of European armies that will become our future enemies.

“…We go to such trouble because Europe and the Empire are very far apart. Even mobilizing the fastest ships, it takes half a year to receive reports about events in Europe, discuss them, and send back answers. If we deploy to Europe without advance observation and encounter significant variables, it becomes too late, and the Empire could lose many things it needn’t lose. Therefore, I ask you ministers what you think of using such measures.”

Even after Wan finished speaking, no ministers readily opened their mouths. Not because they were watching moods, but because they were busy calculating various angles.

Observing the ministers’ reactions, Hyang spoke.

“The Emperor’s idea is good. However. If they encounter Florence’s army trained in the Imperial Army’s methods, and feel that Florence’s army is stronger than expected, the European armies will also change. Couldn’t this end up benefiting only Europe?”

At Hyang’s point, Wan immediately answered.

“All Europeans already know our Empire’s strength. Therefore, they’re changing even now. It’s just not immediately visible. Since foreign powers will also suffer great losses if they lose Italy, they’ll intervene in battles occurring in Italy. The moment they intervene, we can know in advance how they’ve changed, even how they will change.”

At Wan’s answer, Hyang silently nodded in response.

After a moment, Hwangbo In asked Wan.

“Your Majesty. This is truly a grand and beautiful plan. Since it spreads the Empire’s beautiful national ideology and thinking widely, how could it not be beautiful? Also, through this the Empire’s prestige spreads widely and we can protect our interests, so it’s truly a profound strategy.”

“You flatter me.”

At Hwangbo In’s praise, Wan responded with a slightly embarrassed expression. However, neither Hyang, Wan, nor Hwangbo In’s eyes were smiling.

Politics always gilds before striking.

“However…”

As Hyang expected, Hwangbo In’s criticism began.

“However, Your Majesty. Humans are beasts that pursue profit even in life-threatening situations. This is the same for Florence’s power holders. No matter how beautiful the Empire’s national ideology or how useful the Empire’s various systems, if there’s no profit, they won’t accept them. Then the Empire must bestow much upon them. Not only supporting much wealth, but also sending precious talents. If we lose them in the wars they wage, the Empire will suffer great losses.”

At Hwangbo In’s point, Hyang nodded while muttering inwardly.

It wasn’t for nothing that camps divided during the Cold War. Wasn’t it a war? It was a war of dollars and rubles.

After World War II ended, many countries that gained independence from colonies split into the free camp and communist camp.

While ideology played a part in their division, the dollars and rubles filling the power holders’ pockets also played a part.

At Hwangbo In’s point, Wan nodded.

“The Prime Minister’s words aren’t wrong either. Florence will certainly demand much from our Empire. From weapons at the smallest to people and wealth at the largest, they’ll ask for help. However, if we lose the opportunity to observe in advance by being stingy with these, wouldn’t that be penny wise and pound foolish?”

At Wan’s answer, Hwangbo In closed his mouth and withdrew.

Several more rounds of questions and answers followed. However, the conclusion was already decided.

“Then we’ll prepare according to the strategy Your Majesty has presented.”

“Do so.”

Thus the implementation plan, ‘Operation Patchwork Quilt,’ was created.

However, there were those who opposed to the end.

They were the cautious faction represented by Lim Sun-wook.

“Though Your Majesty’s strategy is beautiful, it’s dangerous. If it goes wrong, not only could the Empire bear infamy, but we could fall into a quagmire. We must request reconsideration. Even if it costs our lives.”

At Lim Sun-wook’s point, Hwangbo In stroked his beard and answered.

“It’s a strategy we can only use if Florence requests it. Only if Florence asks.”

“Aren’t the Florence bastards exactly the ones who will definitely ask!”

“…”

Because of this incident, when Florence’s actual request came in, Lim Sun-wook actively opposed it.

Meanwhile, on the ship returning to New Frontier, Hyang muttered with a satisfied smile.

“It might be good to make that and send it to them?”

***