Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 1099

1099. Overture to Disaster (6)

Starting with the Prime Minister, the highest levels of the Imperial administration, including ministers and vice-ministers, were once again being thrown into chaos by U.

“Tsk! Look here, you officials! If you have eyes, then use them!”

Whenever U spoke, waving documents filled with criticisms written in red and blue, the officials gathered in the audience hall could only bow deeply, their heads touching the floor.

“We, we are deeply sorry!”

“Your subjects are incompetent…”

Repeating these apologies, the officials inwardly screamed.

‘Why did the Grand Grand Emperor [referring to a past ruler] and the Grand Emperor handle matters so meticulously!’

‘At my age, I can’t even sit properly and can only prostrate myself! Aigo! My knees!’

‘How many times must we suffer because of the Grand Grand Emperor and the Grand Emperor!’

‘Why, why!’

The officials screamed inwardly. They had suffered greatly during the last inspection, and now they were suffering again. The worst part was that there were no excuses to be made. Everyone in the audience hall was an expert with an impressive career and achievements. However, Hyang and Wan were operating on a completely different level. In the end, the officials could only keep bowing their heads to U, inwardly lamenting.

“I heard that such things didn’t happen when Lord Hwang Hee or Lord Kim Jong-seo [famous historical figures known for their competence] were around. What on earth are you all doing!”

“We, we are deeply sorry!”

“Your subjects are incompetent…”

‘No! How can you bring up legends! This is unfair!’

As Hyun’s reign began, a silent agreement was established.

-No matter how messed up things are, let’s ‘preferably’ not mention Hwang Hee or Kim Jong-seo.

To the officials currently running the Empire, Hwang Hee and Kim Jong-seo were like ‘perfect predecessors’.

That was precisely why they couldn’t be mentioned lightly.

‘I can’t take this!’

If they were to resign because of this, the Emperor would be the one with a headache. Of course, the opposite could also happen.

“The late King…”

By bringing up the late King, the subjects could subtly pressure the current King. However, this was a tactic that had become unusable since Sejong’s time. When Sejong ascended the throne, Taejong [Sejong’s father] was watching closely, and the same was true even after Sejong became Emperor. When Hyang was Emperor, Sejong was still alive, and after that, they kept surviving in a row, starting with Hyang. If they carelessly mentioned ‘the Emperor Emeritus’ or ‘the Grand Emperor Emeritus’, the person in question would immediately appear.

“Were you looking for me?”

“Did I? I don’t remember?”

If this happened, the officials would be in even more trouble. The funny thing was that the Emperor also didn’t casually mention famous ministers of the past like Hwang Hee and Kim Jong-seo. There were many other options available, and as mentioned before, if they pushed too hard and someone resigned, it would cause even more problems.

* * *

While Jongno’s Yukjo Street [a major administrative district] was facing disaster and going through hard times, the artisans of District 51 were also facing a crisis.

-Notice of development of aircraft to be used in the new flying battleship.

-The aircraft to be used in the flying battleship must meet the following conditions.

ㄱ) The wingspan of the aircraft must not exceed 4 *jangs* (approximately 12 meters).

ㄴ) The length must not exceed 3.5 *jangs* (approximately 10.5 meters).

ㄷ) The height must not exceed 1 *jang* (approximately 3 meters).

ㄹ) The aircraft must have at least one fixed Byeongshik Hwacha [a type of rocket launcher] or new Hwacha. In addition, it must carry at least 500 rounds of ammunition per Hwacha.

ㅁ) The aircraft must be able to carry at least one self-propelled explosive projectile.

ㅂ) The aircraft must be able to take off in a distance shorter than 40 *jangs* (approximately 120 meters) with all weapons and fuel fully loaded.

(Omitted)

Reading the official document filled with preconditions, the young artisans kept rubbing their eyes and carefully examining it several times.

“This is a dream…”

“Shouldn’t we post this on the Challenge Board immediately?”

The artisans, struck by despair, immediately went to find Leonardo da Vinci and Gong Ya-jang.

“Aren’t the conditions too harsh?”

Gong Ya-jang, who was looking at the document with Leonardo da Vinci, frowned slightly at the young artisans’ complaints.

“Hmm… It’s a bit difficult, but I don’t think it’s too harsh?”

“Easy for you to say! Is it even possible to have an aircraft that meets all these conditions! It’s impossible!”

Gong Ya-jang retorted at the young artisans’ protests.

“You guys are complaining without even trying! How many aircraft have you made already?”

“We’re saying, are those conditions even possible!”

“You guys! Back in my day! There wasn’t even the concept of an aircraft!”

Gong Ya-jang’s lecture, which started with ‘Back in my day…’, lasted for almost one *shijin* (approximately two hours).

“…So, before you complain, think about how to make it possible!”

“Yes…”

The young artisans, exhausted and worn out by Gong Ya-jang’s long and stormy lecture, answered weakly and wearily walked away.

“Tsk!”

Gong Ya-jang, clicking his tongue at the sight of the young artisans, complained to Da Vinci.

“These young ones these days have no spirit! When you and I made the aircraft, what was it like? When everyone except His Grand Grand Imperial Majesty said it was impossible, didn’t we and our colleagues stay up all night to do it?”

“That’s right, that’s right…”

“These days, they don’t have that spirit! Aish!”

“That’s right, that’s right…”

Da Vinci, who was absentmindedly agreeing with Gong Ya-jang’s complaints, had his eyes fixed on the official document.

“Hey! When someone is talking… Huh?”

Gong Ya-jang, who was about to get angry at Da Vinci’s distracted appearance, stopped when he saw Da Vinci’s expression and came closer.

“Did you find a solution?”

“I think so.”

“What is it?”

“A light but powerful engine.”

“Engine? Maybe that thing you’ve been thinking about lately? Is that the answer?”

“That’s the answer.”

“Hmm…”

Gong Ya-jang, who was thinking for a moment at Da Vinci’s answer, soon nodded.

“I think that’s it too.”

* * *

At the same time, Hyang and Wan were having a similar conversation.

“Aren’t the conditions too harsh?”

“Do you think it’s possible?”

“If so, what do you think is the first thing to solve?”

“It’s a proper improved version of the new engine that the Grand Emperor Emeritus brought.”

“Ah…”

Wan soon nodded at Hyang’s words. However, Wan’s face didn’t brighten easily.

“I’m worried because the frame of the aircraft and other parts aren’t easy either.”

Hyang replied with a bright face to Wan’s worries.

“Don’t worry too much. How many years have we been researching that aircraft? It’s no exaggeration to say that we’ve already reached mastery in the framework and control method. The problem was the engine.”

“That’s right.”

Wan replied with a faint expression. He was reminded of the long years of hardship since he became fascinated by aircraft as the Crown Prince.

“However, if we consider the fixed armament and the ability to carry self-propelled explosive projectiles, the conditions seem too harsh.”

“If we can’t meet the conditions, there will be only one answer. The engine is too weak.”

“Is that so?”

Wan couldn’t hide his anxiety while nodding at Hyang’s overly positive reaction.

‘Everyone admits that His Majesty is extraordinary, but this is a bit unsettling?’

However, Hyang also had his own convictions.

‘It took less than ten years from the Wright brothers flying the first airplane to aerial combat, bombers, and torpedo bombers! As I said before, the airframe structure and control method are already established! All that’s left is the engine!’

As time passed, Hyang’s words were also conveyed to Districts 51 and 52. Since then, a golden rule has been created regarding the development of all means of transportation and combat weapons that are equipped with and move with engines.

-You don’t get the desired maneuverability? Increase the output of the engine!

-First, make the engine and then match the rest to it.

-If the engine becomes powerful, the rest will naturally become powerful!

And according to this golden rule, the artisans of Districts 51 and 52 focused all their efforts on developing an improved version of the engine that Wan had come up with.

-Let’s make a proper engine first and then worry about the rest!

* * *

While the Empire was spending busy days experiencing such commotions, the European powers were also spending noisy and headache-inducing days. The issues that were bothering the great powers were largely two.

One was ‘The Road to Persia’, and the other was ‘The Suez Canal’. First, the road to Persia was essentially a matter of ‘obstruction’. The locations where Korkut and Ahmed, who lost out in the Sultan’s decision, settled were truly ingenious. They blocked the shortest land route connecting the capital, Constantinople, and the largest source of funds, Suez.

The land route to Persia was similarly affected. To get to Persia from Suez, one had to cross a vast desert, and the route starting from Lebanon was often targeted by bandits of unknown origin. What was surprising was Sultan Selim’s reaction.

“It’s true that they are eyesores, but they are still weak and have little influence.”

Selim made such excuses and continued to strengthen his naval power. As time passed, the European powers began to understand Selim’s aim to some extent.

-After completely securing control of the Aegean Sea and the Black Sea, advance to Baku and Persia from the north!

If Selim’s plan succeeded, the land route to Persia would be monopolized by him. If that happened, the value of Korkut and Ahmed would disappear. Of course, it was still possible to reach Persia by using Korkut and Ahmed’s bases as bridgeheads. However, like other great powers, they would suffer significant losses from ‘bandits of unknown origin’.

In other words, if Selim’s plan was successful, the Habsburgs and England would have to concede, and Selim would be able to deal with Korkut and Ahmed more easily. France, Italy, and Portugal, who realized Selim’s aim, gathered to discuss their interests.

“It’s not a bad plan.”

“I agree. If Selim succeeds, the Habsburgs’ position will be further weakened.”

“The same goes for England.”

“That’s not all. Selim can only buy the warships he wants from us, so it’s profitable.”

The representatives of France and Portugal also nodded at the words of the Italian representative. Although there was a strong competitor called the Empire, the Ottomans were already accustomed to the warships made by France, Portugal, and Italy. In the end, France, Italy, and Portugal agreed to support Selim’s aim.

However, not long after, rumors coming from Persia made them reconsider their decision.

-The three countries of the East have preempted Persia!

“What is this!”

It was a rumor that terrified not only Portugal, France, and Italy, but also all the European powers, including the Habsburgs and England. The great powers who heard the rumors hurriedly sent secret agents to Persia to confirm the facts.

And the monarchs and politicians of the great powers who confirmed the reports sent by the secret agents all looked dismayed.

“We’ve been tricked…”