Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 1052

1052. Aftermath (1)

The Empire’s contest turned the world upside down. It goes without saying that the Empire itself was immediately abuzz. Researchers in the research institute and artisans in Districts 51 and 52, those with knowledge and experience, all rolled up their sleeves and devoted themselves to the contest.

“It’s not just about the prize money, it’s the *Compendium of Challenges*! The *Compendium of Challenges*!”

They knew the value of the *Challenge Compendium* and the *Response Compendium* better than anyone else. Starting with the research institute and Districts 51 and 52, artisans from outside who were known for their skills began to challenge the contest.

“Do they think they’re the only ones who are good? I’ll show them what I can do!”

Those who considered themselves to be quite skilled challenged the contest out of pride. This was similar in Ming China and Japan.

“Do they think only Joseon [ancient Korean kingdom] people are good? I will make my name known throughout the world!”

Artisans who were quite famous in Ming China also submitted their entries to the contest. The prize money was a factor, but pride was an even bigger reason. Japan had a slightly different reason added to this.

“The countries of the world know the Empire and Ming, but they don’t know Japan very well! Even if they do, they only know us as a country that makes good silk! If we can succeed in creating airships and new power engines, the world will know Japan clearly! No matter how good an alliance is, we can’t always be buried in the shadow of the Empire!”

To escape being the least prominent among the three neighboring countries, the Japanese King Ouchi Yoshioki declared this and decided to promote challenging the contest as a national policy.

* * *

While the artisans and politicians of the three Northeast Asian countries were actively moving, other countries were showing various reactions. The first countries to receive the Empire’s proclamation were Italy, Portugal, and Switzerland.

“This is crazy…”

“Is this really like the Empire?”

The monarchs and politicians of the three countries who saw the Empire’s proclamation all showed similar reactions. The enormous prize money to be paid to the winner made them immediately call it crazy, but then they came to accept it. This was because of the Empire’s economic power, the wealth of the Emperor and the Imperial family, and the Emperors’ unique personalities. However, the Italians were the first to seriously consider this.

“It is a well-known fact that the Emperors of the Empire have peculiar personalities. However, they are not the kind of people who would spend so much money—no, an amount that could be said to be insane—without any thought.”

“I agree. According to rumors, the first thing the Emperors learn about state affairs from their time as Crown Princes is related to the budget. They have learned about budgets and finances, so there is no way they would act without careful consideration.”

“Think about the former Emperor Hyang who came to Italy during the Unification War. He was a person who aimed for at least three goals with one action, wasn’t he?”

The Italian politicians, reflecting on Hyang’s actions during the Unification War, as well as the behavior of the Emperors who succeeded Hyang, came to a conclusion after careful consideration:

-The promotion of such a thing by the former Emperor Hyang and the Emperors who succeeded him is not a simple extravagance.

-This is because they are confident that the power engine that wins the contest will bring more profit than the prize money offered.

-Considering the judgment of the Emperors of the Empire, we must not simply ignore this event.

In the end, Italian politicians began to search for artisans in their country who would challenge this contest. After examining the performance and technology of the potential challengers, the Italian politicians selected those with high potential and began to actively support them.

It wasn’t free, though. Seeing these moves by Italy, Portugal and Switzerland also began to show similar interest. Spain, the princes of Northern Europe, and smaller countries also began to move along with the movements of Italy, Portugal, and Switzerland.

Meanwhile, there were also countries that actively provided support as much as Japan. In Europe, it was England, and in the Middle East, it was the Ottoman Empire. England, which had successfully shifted its economic focus from agriculture to commerce and industry, was well aware of the advantages and disadvantages of steam engines. Thanks to this, as soon as King Henry VII saw the proclamation brought by the Empire asking for permission to distribute it, he immediately clapped his hands in excitement.

“As expected of the Empire! If a winner comes out of England, we will be able to subdue France again! Actively cooperate with the Empire’s efforts!”

Henry VII, who recognized the potential in the Empire’s proclamation, ordered his ministers to actively cooperate. The country that showed as much enthusiasm as England was the Ottoman Empire. The Ottoman Empire had greatly prospered by actively importing the Empire’s culture and technology.

* * *

“Although they are heretics, the Emperors of the Empire are outstanding people! They are not people who would do such crazy things just for their own pleasure! There is a hidden meaning in it!”

The court was abuzz at the words of Ottoman Sultan Bayezid II. The Grand Vizier, who presided over the Supreme Council, ‘Divan,’ soon bowed his head and asked Bayezid II.

“Then, would it be better to reject the request? There is growing confusion among the people after seeing the proclamation that flowed in from across the Mediterranean.”

While the decision was delayed in the Ottoman court, rumors about the contest were spreading among the people. It started with the proclamations brought from Italy and Portugal by merchants who traveled between Suez and the Mediterranean for business. The people of the Ottoman Empire, who saw the proclamations and heard the rumors from them, also began to stir greatly.

Bayezid II came to a different conclusion than the Grand Vizier’s question.

“No, we will actively inform them as well. The moment we find out what they want, we must not be late in using it. We have only followed the Empire so far. However, if we can successfully complete this task, we can take the lead, starting with the Empire.”

At Bayezid II’s words, the Grand Vizier bowed his head.

“I will do my best.”

* * *

“This is getting bigger than I expected?”

Hyang, who received the report, muttered with a slightly embarrassed expression.

-Not only Europe but also skilled artisans, scholars, and inventors from all over the world will be devoted to it.

-Then, the problem of the new power engine, which is now in a stagnant state, will be quickly resolved.

-I don’t even expect a power engine that can be commercialized right away. However, if a proper framework comes out, the current technology of the Empire can do the rest.

-In addition, the Empire’s nights will be a little quieter.

This was Hyang’s calculation. However, the situation was changing to an even larger scale than Hyang had expected.

“No, I’m already being called crazy just for picking their pockets, why are these guys opening their own wallets!”

England, Portugal, Switzerland, Italy, and the Ottoman Empire were actively supporting their own people who were challenging the contest, and the scale of the game became even larger than expected. It wasn’t just Hyang who grumbled. Wan, who had returned to Hyeondo and Shinji from Gyeongbok Palace [main royal palace of Joseon dynasty], also grumbled at the growing game.

However, the three generations who later heard the inside story through various channels all smiled bitterly.

“It’s karma…..”

“It’s karma.”

“Why me, even though the Supreme Emperor and the Emperor are like that!”

And similar stories came out in the Empire’s court as well.

“We must also select and support those who challenge the contest.”

“There are already many people who are constantly working hard to be listed in the *Response Compendium* in other fields. However, I don’t think it’s fair to only support those who respond to the contest.”

Hyeon expressed his intention to refuse, but the ministers repeatedly insisted on support.

“Your ministers do not have much knowledge about power engines. However, even if we only look at steam engines, there are many places where they are useful. Then, it is certain that the new power engine will also be used a lot. In other words, it is guaranteed to be a great treasure. It is no exaggeration to call it a treasure rather than a device, so we must not let other countries get their hands on it first. Although there may be talk of being unfair, we believe that we should make an exception because of the situation. Your Majesty! Please, grant your permission!”

“Please grant your permission!”

“It is certain that the new power engine will be of great help to the future of the Empire. However, this is also the case in other fields.”

Hyeon repeatedly refused, but the ministers again strongly urged Hyeon.

“It is a matter of the Empire’s future. Please have mercy!”

“Please have mercy!”

“Heh heh, mercy?”

Hyeon chuckled and muttered inwardly.

‘It is said that it happens three times, so would this be enough?’

“I know well what your concerns are. Create a proper policy and bring it to me. I will examine it and decide whether to approve it or not.”

“Your grace is boundless!”

In this way, the Empire also joined the race. And Hyang, who received the report, burst into a hollow laugh.

“Hahaha. ‘A children’s fight becomes an adult’s fight.'”

Meanwhile, there were also countries that suffered unexpected damage in the midst of this. It was France and Habsburg, who were in the middle of a war.

* * *

As soon as they heard the Empire’s announcement that it would sell the new external combustion engine used in airships, France and Habsburg immediately sent envoys to the Empire.

“Shut up and tell me the price! How much will it cost!”

“It will be delivered, right? If the Empire delivers it, our enemies won’t be able to touch it.”

“Delivery is possible! Isn’t speedy delivery the Empire’s motto?”

In this way, the Empire delivered the ordered new external combustion engine. The problem was that the Empire did not only deliver the new external combustion engine. The Empire’s proclamation that came with the new external combustion engine made France and Habsburg embarrassed.

The artisans who saw the contents of the proclamation left the scene in droves.

“Leaving the workshop is a breach of contract!”

“Then fire me!”

“If it goes well, this contest is a golden opportunity to gain both wealth and fame, but you want me to waste my time here? I can’t do that!”

Saying the above, the artisans left the self-propelled airship and airship factories. To solve the problem, France appealed to the artisans’ patriotism.

“It’s for the glory of France! Come back!”

They appealed for their return based on the sense of belonging to ‘France, French people’ that had strengthened since the Hundred Years’ War. However, such a strong sense of patriotism and belonging had not yet fully taken root. In response, the French government began to threaten.

“This is treason!”

In response, the artisans responded as follows.

“Huh! Didn’t you read the contract properly? Did I sell any state secrets? I’m quitting because I’m ‘not feeling well’ or ‘for personal reasons,’ so what treason is it? Do it according to the law!”

The French government became even more embarrassed as the artisans responded by filing lawsuits. France was a little better off than Habsburg. Still, there were those who returned. Habsburg’s situation was the worst.

The princes who had been supporting Habsburg turned their funds and artisans back to the development of the new internal combustion engine.

“This is treason!”

“Isn’t this war a war of Habsburg, not the Holy Roman Empire? I never agreed!”