Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 1111

1111. The Emperor’s Gloom (5)

After confirming the information from France, Woo immediately sought out Hyang and Wan.

“What do you think of the flying machine that France created?”

“I think they made it well.”

At Hyang’s response, Woo asked a bit more cautiously.

“How does it compare to the flying machines that the Empire is currently making?”

“They made it well, but it still hasn’t caught up to our Empire’s flying machines.”

“Then, can we continue to move as we are now?”

“I think that would be fine. After all, plans have already been made and are in progress to create a more superior engine.”

“I see.”

At Hyang’s answer, Woo looked relieved. Hyang and Wan could see Woo’s inner thoughts from his expression.

‘I guess he was worried about the budget after all…’

‘Even the Emperor can’t freely touch the gold and silver piled up in the national treasury.’

* * *

The Empire was a nation that wouldn’t be second to anyone when it came to wealth. However, the financial managers of the Empire were the stingiest people imaginable. So much so that even the Jews who had immigrated to the Empire were taken aback by the Empire’s financial managers.

The officials working under the Ministry of Finance, in the National Tax Service, and in the Empire’s war and investment funds never missed a single coin. Because of this, when the time came to set the annual budget, officials from other ministries openly grumbled.

“Seriously! More and more gold and silver are piling up in the national treasury, so why can’t we use some of it! It’s not like they’re going to take it with them when they die!”

Whenever such criticisms were heard, the Ministry of Finance officials would scoff or couldn’t hide their resentment.

“Hmph! They don’t know anything!”

“Do you think we like doing this! Do you want to see the country collapse!”

Thanks to the Empire’s monopoly on the mining and distribution of gold and silver, more and more gold and silver were piling up in the Empire’s national treasury every year. Also, as the Empire grew in size, more and more taxes were being collected. However, conversely, the Empire’s spending was also increasing.

As the Empire’s railway network grew in scale, the costs of construction, maintenance, and repair were also increasing. The cost of strengthening the size and power of the Imperial Army, which protected the Empire, was also constantly increasing.

The cost of helping those among the Empire’s people whose lives were difficult was also steadily increasing every year.

The Empire’s welfare policy was started by Sejong. As soon as the economic reforms began to bear fruit, Sejong began to plan and implement more full-fledged welfare policies.

“There has long been a saying, ‘Even the country cannot alleviate poverty.'”

“Poor people are lazy by nature. If the country helps them, lazy people will become even lazier, and even diligent people will become lazy.”

At the time, many officials opposed it, but Sejong did not back down.

“I am not suggesting that we help indiscriminately. I want to provide minimal assistance to those who cannot escape poverty for unavoidable reasons. Also, it is to help those who are trying to escape poverty. If the number of people who escape poverty with this help increases, taxes will also increase, and the country’s finances will also become more abundant, wouldn’t they?”

According to Sejong’s strong will, the welfare policy was implemented.

Finally, as the number of Empire’s officials increased, salary expenditures were increasing every year. The Empire’s administration had penetrated deeply and widely into the lives of the people. In other words, more and more officials were needed. The Empire was implementing various welfare policies for its officials and was paying them quite generously.

This was to prevent corruption among officials. In return, the Empire demanded diligence and integrity from its officials. Officials caught in corruption were immediately subject to confiscation of property—starting with half of their basic assets, and if necessary, shaking up the entire family’s livelihood—and were forced to work in the archives for a period ranging from 10 years.

In any case, the budget spent on officials’ salaries and welfare was not insignificant.

Because of this, some people seriously considered reviving the ‘Hyangni System’ [local administrative system], but everyone, starting with the Emperor, opposed it.

“Have you forgotten why we abolished the Hyangni System? Are we going to watch the local magnates harass the people again?”

“Do you want to experience another incident like the Giyu Rebellion [a historical peasant revolt]!”

Due to the strong opposition, the ‘Revival of the Hyangni System’ was scrapped. In this situation, the Empire’s finances were barely balancing income and expenditure. Therefore, the emperors of the past hated the most when unexpected expenses occurred.

However, the ones who created the most cases of what they hated were the former emperors.

* * *

The advice of Hyang and Wan immediately reached the ears of the ministers.

“I was very worried about the matter with France, but I’ve taken a breather.”

At the Prime Minister’s words, the ministers turned to look at the Minister of National Defense. Representing those ministers, the Minister of Finance asked a question.

“It’s not that I doubt what the Former Supreme Emperor and the Supreme Emperor said, but is it okay to be optimistic?”

At the ministers’ question, the Minister of National Defense’s expression worsened. This was because there were traps hidden in the ministers’ questions.

-If the Minister of National Defense makes a negative statement? Then words like, ‘Who do they think those people are? Doubting them!’ would circulate, and his position would become difficult.

-However, nodding without thinking is also a problem. If something unexpected happens, he would have to take all the blame.

‘The one responsible for the Empire’s national defense is like this… (omitted)’

In any case, it would be a fatal problem for the Minister of National Defense.

The Minister of National Defense pretended to organize his thoughts and glanced at the Minister of Finance. Seeing the Minister of Finance glaring at him as well, the Minister of National Defense muttered inwardly.

‘So, you’re going to repay me like this for enthusiastically playing the drum and janggu [traditional Korean drum] for the things the two of you have been doing?’

Realizing the Minister of Finance’s intentions, the Minister of National Defense organized his thoughts a bit more and then slowly opened his mouth.

“Hmm…. As soon as I confirmed the information from France, I requested an analysis from the Imperial Army Air Force and the artisans in Area 51. The report they submitted was as follows.”

-The engine attached to the flying machine made in France still has many shortcomings. It will take a lot of time and budget to solve this.

-The combat doctrine using flying machines is a problem. It is judged that the starting point is different compared to the doctrine currently being researched by the Imperial Air Force.

-If we were to compare the superiority of the doctrine researched by the Imperial Air Force and the French doctrine, we believe that the Imperial Air Force is superior.

-It is certain that France will not realize the problems with their doctrine until they experience actual combat. If so, we will have considerable time to spare.

-Of course, this is until Habsburg succeeds in developing military flying machines.

“….For these reasons, I think it is better to move according to the plan with some leeway for now.”

At the Minister of National Defense’s explanation, the ministers’ expressions clearly relaxed. Seeing the Minister of Finance’s expression ease, the Minister of National Defense immediately launched a counterattack.

“But you know, I had a question while watching this flying machine development in France. France is a major power in Europe, but it is inferior to our Empire. However, they made a flying machine almost similar to our Empire, and even one that can be used in combat? For this to be possible, a large number of people must be mobilized and many tests must be conducted. Isn’t that right?”

At the Minister of National Defense’s point, all the ministers—even the Minister of Finance—nodded. Seeing that, the Minister of National Defense glared at the Minister of Finance and continued speaking.

“A large number of people and many tests, in other words, a large budget. The work that France is doing in the Ottoman Empire is not a small amount of money. Hmm…. Is France a very rich country?”

At the Minister of National Defense’s meaningful words, the Minister of Finance’s expression crumpled. And a verbal battle between the two began. It was an even more fierce, unregulated verbal battle because the Emperor was not present, and the other ministers, including the Prime Minister, watched the two’s verbal battle with fascinating expressions.

* * *

While the Minister of Finance and the Minister of National Defense were engaged in a fierce verbal battle, Hyang and Wan were discussing the news from France.

“If France succeeds, other great powers will soon follow.”

“I agree. In particular, Habsburg will be even more enthusiastic.”

At Hyang’s words, Wan cautiously asked again.

“Earlier, I went along with it because the Emperor was too worried, but shouldn’t we pay attention to it?”

At Wan’s suggestion, Hyang shook his head slightly.

“For the time being, it is reasonable to move according to the plans we have already established without acting rashly. No, we have no choice but to do so.”

“Why is that?”

“Other parts are too far behind. In particular, the alloy part is a problem.”

“Ah…..”

At Hyang’s words, Wan nodded.

When making a flying machine, the most important thing was a powerful engine and a light but strong airframe. The most important thing for making a light and strong airframe was its skeleton. And steel was a problematic material. It was strong, but it was too heavy.

Because of this weakness, the skeleton of the flying machine made by the Empire adopted hollow steel pipes. Even that could only be applied to the heaviest engine, fuel tank, and cockpit sections, and the rest had to use wooden ribs and plywood shells.

“Certainly, there is a problem with steel. No, alloys based on iron have limitations. We need to find other alloys.”

“I agree. Scholars recommended aluminum, but this is….”

“The problem is that it’s too expensive.”

“Tsk….”

At Wan’s words, Hyang clicked his tongue and nodded.

Aluminum was a metal that had been known to some extent since ancient Greece. The problem was that it has been one of the most expensive metals since then. This was due to the limitations of the smelting method.

‘With the current level of technology, even if I were the Emperor, I would have rejected the proposal to mass-produce aluminum.’

“Hoo〜.”

Hyang sighed deeply, unable to hide his disappointment.

‘Electricity, electricity is the answer…. Should I push the Electrical Engineering Department…?’

* * *

While the court was buzzing about flying machines, a few people gathered in a corner of the Ministry of National Defense and the Imperial Army Headquarters, whispering.

“Have you heard about the newly created internal combustion engine?”

“Ah, Jang Hyung [term of respect for an older male]. I heard. Thanks to that, the flying machine can be used for military purposes, right?”

“What if we use that internal combustion engine in the assault vehicle?”

“Huh?”

When his colleague showed interest, Jang Il-hwan explained in more detail.

-The engine currently attached to the flying machine is powerful enough to make a flying machine carrying two people, ammunition loaded on a freight car, and even self-propelled bombs fly.

-But the size is quite small.

“It’s not small, though?”

“Compare it to a steam engine.”

“Ah!”

-Again, compared to a steam engine with similar power, it is very small.

-And you only need to carry fuel, which is oil. On the other hand, in the case of a steam engine, you have to carry coal as well as water.

-In other words, if an internal combustion engine is installed in an assault vehicle, it will be able to move a longer distance.

“No, the biggest advantage is something else. Do you know what it is?”

“What is it?”

-The fact that it is small means it is lighter. So, you can put stronger armor on the assault vehicle.

-No, the most important thing is that you can mount an even bigger and more powerful cannon for the weight you have secured!

“Indeed! That’s right!”

“How is it?”

“Let’s write a report! If we can mount an even bigger and more powerful cannon, the higher-ups will be very happy!”