The debate over Lim Sun-wook and Han Myeong-hoe’s proposals continued at length, but ultimately Wan had to reach a conclusion.

“I have truly listened well to your opinions. Seeing in every word the signs of your deep concern for the well-being and prosperity of myself and the Empire, I cannot hide my genuine joy.”

At Wan’s praise, the ministers bowed their heads and replied:

“Your praise is too generous, Your Majesty.”

“We have merely fulfilled our duty as subjects.”

Having softened the atmosphere with praise, Wan shared his thoughts.

“I believe both the Finance Minister’s and Chief Administrative Officer’s opinions have their merits and drawbacks.”

Wan’s subsequent words could be summarized as follows:

• The Finance Minister’s approach is solid, but timing is difficult. If we fail to properly time our advances and retreats, the Empire must be prepared for unnecessary burdens.
• The problem is that Italy and the Empire are far apart. Even if something happens in Italy, it takes a long time to hear about it in Seoul, and vice versa.
• The Chief Administrative Officer’s approach is bold, but could actually save time and costs.
• However, there’s a high possibility that a fractured Europe might unite to antagonize the Empire.
• Because to Europeans, our Empire consists of heathens and foreigners. Moreover, they’ve suffered greatly from Mongol invasions. Why else would the saying ‘rejoicing at others’ misfortune’ exist?
• Looking at our Empire’s current situation, Ming, Japan, and Mongolia surround the mainland and northern territories. Though we currently maintain peaceful and neighborly relations with them, the possibility of them becoming enemies always exists. Increasing the number of enemies is not a good strategy.

“…However, there are no decent alternatives besides these two approaches. Therefore, I’m thinking of combining these two methods.”

Wan’s revealed strategy was as follows:

• Establish an Imperial embassy in Florence. Through this embassy, officially observe Italy’s situation and report to Seoul.

This way, those trying to intervene in Italy will know of the Empire’s involvement and reveal their hidden cards.

• Never show all cards from the beginning. The Empire will only move upon Florence’s request. This way, the Empire can gain justification and minimize those who suspect the Empire. Additionally, we can find European countries that will side with the Empire and Florence.
• If a situation arises requiring military force, mobilize all available forces in the European direction for a short, decisive campaign.
• And if military force is deployed, the starting point will be New Frontier.

“Did you say New Frontier, Your Majesty?”

“Yes. I’ve already discussed this part with my father, and we judged it the best strategy.”

At Wan’s answer, all ministers including Hwangbo In focused their eyes on the Defense Minister and Chief of Staff.

Under the concentrated gaze of the ministers, Jang Hang-seon and the Chief of Staff analyzed Wan’s proposal with serious expressions.

Occasionally exchanging whispered opinions between themselves, the two finally seemed to reach a conclusion, nodding before turning to face Wan and the other ministers.

“In our opinion as well, New Frontier seems most appropriate.”

“Is it possible with New Frontier’s capacity?”

At Kim Jong-seo’s point, Jang Hang-seon immediately answered.

“Right now, it’s beyond our capacity. However, this is the same for Florence and all others trying to intervene in Italy. If the 10 or 15 years we anticipated pass, and if we diligently cultivate New Frontier’s naval power, there’s sufficient possibility.”

At Jang Hang-seon’s words, Shin Sukju pressed further.

“Most European countries already vaguely know of New Frontier’s existence. Won’t they naturally prepare defenses when things begin?”

“All of Europe will prepare defenses toward New Frontier?”

“Yes.”

At Shin Sukju’s words, Jang Hang-seon shook his head.

“Impossible. First, the countries with the strongest naval power in Europe are Spain and Portugal, and both are investing their naval forces in competing for interests in the Mediterranean and African regions. They have no spare forces to deploy toward New Frontier, and even if they did, they wouldn’t. The moment they deploy them, they’ll fall behind in the competition. And as the Foreign Minister knows, Portugal maintains good relations with our Empire.”

“What about England and France?”

“Mortal enemies joining hands? Though the saying about ‘enemies in the same boat’ exists, the possibility is very low.”

“But what about the unexpected?”

As Shin Sukju continued pressing, Jang Hang-seon answered with a snort.

“Ha! Do you think our Defense Ministry has no eyes or ears? We know well the performance of the warships Europeans use and what ships they’re building! Why? Because the largest shipyard among those building these ships is the Empire’s shipyard in Suez! We know the performance of ships Europeans will deploy in battle, we know our warships’ performance, and Father in New Frontier is carefully cultivating the navy! If things happen after our anticipated time passes, there’s absolutely nothing to worry about!”

At Jang Hang-seon’s assertion, Shin Sukju shut his mouth with a pale expression. The ministers listening to their conversation looked at Shin Sukju and shook their heads slightly while muttering inwardly.

‘That guy did it again.’

Pointing out problems or questions wasn’t something to criticize. The problem was that Hyang was in New Frontier. And that Hyang was ‘Father.’

The ministers, well aware of Hyang’s personality, could tell from Wan’s words about ‘agreement reached with Father’ that the decision was already made. With Hyang, it was certain he would properly develop New Frontier’s navy according to the Defense Ministry’s anticipated timeline—no, even faster.

‘No, we’d be lucky if he just develops it properly.’

Given Hyang’s personality, there was no reason something worse than assault turtle ships wouldn’t emerge.

In this situation, continuing to doubt was equivalent to doubting Father’s and the Emperor’s abilities.

Shin Sukju, trying to show off his thoughtfulness, had caused another major incident.

Shin Sukju desperately moved to recover from his mistake even slightly.

“B-but aren’t there more than one or two European exploration ships sunk by New Frontier’s navy? The Europeans who sent those exploration ships must be guessing it was the Empire’s doing. If they judge the Empire is moving, won’t they naturally strengthen defenses toward New Frontier?”

At Shin Sukju’s point, the Chief of Staff nodded.

“Of course they will. Even so, they cannot defend. First, the ocean between New Frontier and Europe is extremely vast, and there are no proper sea charts. Ah! Let me correct that. Only the Empire has somewhat usable sea charts.”

As the Chief of Staff said, the Empire possessed sea charts recording the Atlantic, particularly the North Atlantic region.

***

When trade with Europe and the Middle East began, one of the things most eagerly collected was sea charts.

Though their scale and accuracy were terrible, sea charts drawn during ancient Greek and Roman times, and the subsequent Viking era, entered the Defense Ministry as soon as they were discovered.

Additionally, the navy being cultivated in New Frontier moved busily. Between surveying New Frontier’s eastern and western coastlines and eliminating exploration ships from Europe, they sent out ships one or two at a time to explore eastward routes.

Interestingly, the greatest helpers in this exploration were the very exploration ships from Europe.

Initially, they sank exploration ships indiscriminately upon discovery. But as time passed, Hyang changed the policy.

“It seems wasteful in many ways…”

Following Hyang’s decision, the New Frontier garrison navy changed their operations:

• First, inflict damage through bombardment.
• If the opponent continues resisting or tries to flee, sink them.
• If the opponent raises a white flag, confiscate all crew and cargo, then sink the exploration ship.

This way, quite a few Europeans were dragged into New Frontier’s naval detention centers.

Officials sent by Hyang were waiting for them at the detention centers.

“Since we’ve decided not to open this New Frontier yet, we have no choice but to detain you. I find this very regrettable. Now I’ll give you a choice. Work at the railway construction sites until the doors open, or refuse.”

“What happens if we refuse?”

“You’ll have to forcibly build roads and railways in the southern Mexica region.”

“Both seem no different?”

“There’s a big difference. The first provides sufficient wages and you can rest when you want. The second has none of that.”

“Is there no option to return home?”

“If that were possible, why would we have sunk your ships?”

“…”

Eventually, the Europeans ended up working at railway construction sites in the plains.

“More important than people is this…”

However, what Hyang considered most important were the navigation logs and sea charts secured from the exploration ships.

Through those navigation logs and sea charts, the Empire’s Great Eastern Ocean charts gradually became more complete.

***

The Chief of Staff continued speaking.

“In a situation where Europeans don’t know where we’ll come from, it’s impossible for them to defend all those wide coasts and harbors.”

“That may be true, but…”

“And because Europeans know our Empire’s people’s habits, they won’t pay much attention to the New Frontier direction.”

“Our Empire’s people’s habits?”

Not just Shin Sukju but other ministers also now paid attention to the Chief of Staff’s words.

“Yes. Our Empire’s people’s habits are very famous. ‘Even slightly more profitable’ and ‘even slightly faster.’ Europeans probably judged like this: ‘If the route from New Frontier to Europe were faster and more profitable than the route from Seoul through Suez to Europe, Imperial ships would already be coming and going frequently. They’re not doing it because there’s no money in it.’ And you can tell from the Europeans’ behavior. According to reports, the number of exploration ships approaching New Frontier has almost disappeared, but the number of exploration ships heading to the newly discovered southern new continent has greatly increased.”

As the Chief of Staff said, Australia had finally been discovered recently.

“It was real!”

“Let’s go!”

European explorers excited by the discovery of the new continent immediately sailed their ships toward Australia.

Explorers arriving in Australia thoroughly recorded along the coastline and penetrated inland.

It didn’t end with Australia’s discovery. While searching for places to rest and resupply on the way to Australia, numerous islands in the South Pacific region were discovered.

***

“Thanks to the southern new continent, Europe’s attention is focused southward. Calculating 10 or 15 years later based on current European nations’ national power, well…”

Though the Chief of Staff trailed off, the ministers could predict the next words.

‘Even 10 or 15 years later, Europe cannot handle the Empire!’

Hwangbo In looked at the Chief of Staff with a bitter smile.

‘I thought he was naturally fearless, but he’s been corrupted.’

The Chief of Staff trailing off was preparing for if his predictions were wrong in the future.

‘Weren’t you so confident! What’s this about!’

Of course, neither he nor the Chief of Staff would be in their positions by then, but curses received in one’s absence hurt more.