1592 The Empire We All Dreamed of - Chapter 328



Only Krnovel

1592 The Empire Everyone Dreamed of (328)

new era

The heavenly tigers of the East blew on the warm wine they had heated.

“This is my first time drinking like this.”

“Wow. My insides feel so warm. This is truly a delicacy.”

“What’s so special about it? It’s just something to warm up and eat because it’s cold.”

Jiwoo, who had emptied his glass, wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. The cool night in the meadow, the campfire, the warm alcohol, and the beef jerky piqued the men’s interest.

“I will offer you a drink.”

“I will gladly accept it.”

Brrrrr.

“You must have been very upset, but thank you for following along so readily.”

“… … !”

Gobur Ahabchul shook his head.

“That’s not right. It’s something we should be thankful for.”

“Even if you wanted my life, I would have given it to you.”

The old gingers were definitely spicy.

“The prosperity of my clan was more than enough to pay for my life, but I was able to secure my safety by simply retiring, so Your Majesty’s grace is truly great.”

“Oh, like that.”

Jiwoo pretended to look sad.

“If I had known this would happen, I would have wanted my life.”

“… … .”

Gulp.

The sound of someone swallowing was unusually loud.

“ha ha ha.”

Jiwoo’s shoulders shook violently and the bonfire burned brightly.

“Anyway, I got here thanks to you all for trusting me. Thank you again.”

Gobur Ahabchul said with a sullen face.

“I have never doubted Your Majesty. Since your first victory in the Honshu expedition more than ten years ago, Your Majesty has always put the public interest first. And you have always kept your word.”

“Yes. You have never lied even once during that time.”

Jiwoo nodded.

“Please continue to watch over me. And if you think I’m going astray, please point it out without mercy.”

“Yes? We are going to retire and spend the rest of our lives… … .”

Toman Dokroul asked in a crawling voice.

“I’ve changed my mind. Now that I’ve confirmed your loyalty, I think I should use you more.”

“Oh my god.”

“ha ha ha.”

“Heh heh heh.”

Their laughter echoed throughout the night sky.

They set off early the next morning and arrived at the hill overlooking Puhai Port around noon.

There were people waiting for Jiwoo there.

“A humble subject has come to see Your Majesty. Long live the great Goryeo!”

“Long live His Majesty the King!”

“It’s late, but I congratulate you on your victory.”

“Congratulations on your victory.”

It was Pui Wan-yen-geuk, the former ruler of the Northeast and the leader of the Fuhai Alliance, along with hundreds of his family members.

“Just get up.”

Jiwoo woke up his friend’s father and one-time superior.

“Thank you, I was able to fight with peace of mind. Thank you.”

“We are grateful that we can live in a united country thanks to Your Majesty’s grace. We will repay this grace with loyalty that has lasted for generations.”

“I will now pass on the trust I have earned through my past loyalty to you through my friendship with your son. Please watch over me.”

“Your kindness is truly infinite and it is an honor to my family.”

Wan Yin-geuk bowed politely.

It was a giant tree that we wouldn’t have dared even make eye contact with 10 years ago.

If Nurhachi grew in power under Li Shengliang, he grew up within the confines of Wan Yin Ke.

“It’s already been 13 years since I started dreaming in your arms.”

“There have been many things that have happened, and today I finally leave my hometown to help my son.”

“You’ve taken on a big burden. But I’m sure my friend and his father will take care of it.”

“I will do my best to govern Seogyeong (Beijing) well and bring it back into the bosom of Goryeo.”

The old hero knew what he had to do.

“You’ve been holding on for so long. I hope you have a comfortable journey.”

“Then please take care of Puhai. Long live the Great Goryeo!”

Wan Yen-geuk and his clan prostrated themselves again.

“Long live Great Goryeo! Long live His Majesty the King!”

“Hurrah! Hurrah!”

The heavenly tigers of the East greeted each other warmly.

“It’s a shame that our long-awaited meeting has to end in farewell.”

“Hehehe, we’ll eventually meet again after a long journey. See you then.”

“I wish you good luck, Puhai Manho.”

After a while, hundreds of cavalry marched west. They were sparsely equipped, except for extra horses carrying food. They were going to Beijing, which was rich in natural resources, so they had nothing to take with them.

‘With this, we can spur administrative integration from Solbin to Usuri.’

The presence of indigenous forces can easily be an obstacle to reform. Now, all that was left was to fill the gap left by elementary school graduates.

Those who took a short break started moving again.

“You will arrive at Chahohan by today. Let’s go.”

“Let’s go, first report.”

Warm, warm.

About 500 cavalrymen marched down the street in two columns.

Soon a huge city unfolded before our eyes.

The street that runs through the city center was bustling with people as it was a permanent market.

As you get closer to the port, the sight of two- and three-story buildings lined up makes you feel like you’ve traveled a different world.

“Oh my, it’s different from last time. It’s gotten bigger.”

“How much has Solbin changed?”

“That’s right. I first went there during the national wedding, and it was truly amazing.”

“I remember those five-colored fireworks.”

As they passed by on the street, one by one, people began to recognize Jiwoo.

“Oh, the Great Khan, no, the King, is here.”

“Where, where?”

“His Majesty the King has returned victorious.”

“Why didn’t we know? Is there such rudeness?”

Warm, warm.

“Everyone, step back. Do not block His Majesty’s path.”

“It’s dangerous. Get off the road.”

The guard formed a line next to the roadside camp.

Then Puhai’s security force came running and lined up along the road. The crowd that had gathered welcomed them with the best gestures they could muster.

“Long live His Majesty the King!”

“Wow, long live Great Goryeo!”

Warm, warm.

Jiwoo, who had stepped forward, waved his hand in return.

He licked his lips slightly with a smile on his face.

“Increase speed gradually.”

“Wow.”

After passing through the city center for about 15 minutes, my ears finally began to open to the sound of people’s shouts.

The tigers of the East also stuck out their tongues.

“This is no ordinary task. Thank you for your hard work, Your Majesty.”

“Now you know my heart.”

Jiwoo nodded and stepped forward.

Drumroll, drumroll.

Adjutant Kim Myeong-seop suddenly joined me.

“It’s been less than a year, but the world seems to be changing really quickly.”

“The more people who want to achieve their desires, the faster things will change. Now is the time to set strict rules.”

“Huh? Are you trying to control your greed?”

“No. It’s to encourage fair competition.”

Jiwoo let out a short sigh as if it wasn’t an easy task.

“When we root out illegality and corruption and allow capable people to achieve their goals, the effect is doubled. That is a country.”

“Talents who grow in this way contribute to the country. This is the virtuous cycle you always talk about.”

“Building a country is just as important as establishing one.”

Jiwoo glanced at his adjutant, Kim Myeongseop, and smiled.

“Of course, that will largely depend on future generations.”

“Are you saying that no matter how well we do, in the end it is the efforts of future generations that are important?”

“No matter what, it is the responsibility of those living in that era.”

Jiwoo shrugged.

“Don’t worry. This year, we will graduate from high school. When they are drafted, they will be able to serve as military officers, and when they are discharged, they will grow into leaders.”

“So, is it from now on?”

Jiwoo nodded.

“Yes. The present, where you can do something, is the most important, rather than the past or the future, which you cannot do anything about.”

“just now…….”

Kim Myeong-seop rocked his body on the horse and was lost in thought.

The group that had been walking slowly after leaving Puhai picked up their pace again.

“Haa! Haa!”

Doo doo doo doo.

Once again, everyone lay flat on their horses in the open meadow and the gallop began.

So we arrived at Chahohan late in the afternoon.

What greeted them in the quiet city where the sunset was shining was an unexpected structure.

“What kind of cart is this long?”

“It’s not a cart. It looks like several carriages connected together.”

Jiwoo was among those who were shocked.

“They’re already commercializing this.”

“Your Majesty. Isn’t this a track? It should be in Solbin Industrial Complex.”

Chahohan is a road connecting Puhai and Usuri.

In the past, he had ordered a railroad to be built through the major cities of Jiwoo to reach the coal mines in the north.

“I present to you His Majesty the King.”

“Congratulations on your victory.”

The steam engine research lab director, Mindol, and his researchers greet Jiwoo.

“You guys finally did it.”

“The steel mill workers contributed greatly.”

In fact, the principle of the steam engine is widely known among scholars, dating back to BC. However, it was significant that it was commercialized before Europe.

‘Isn’t this truly a double-edged sword?’

What was the history of Europe like before and after the Industrial Revolution?

They accelerated the colonization of the East and fought endless wars with each other to achieve this.

My heart was heavy at the thought that Goryeo might shoulder that original sin. There was no way that someone like Hitler could not emerge from Goryeo. No, 300 years later, a similar ambitious person would be born.

‘The future belongs to those who live in it. I just do my best to live today.’

Jiwoo, shaking off his complicated thoughts, entered the station.

The red brick building looked somehow familiar.

“Seeing the steel inventory build up again, my suggestion to produce tracks was accepted. As a result, the industrial complex was able to connect the tracks to Chahohan last month.”

“We plan to install Puhai within this year.”

Jiwoo glanced at the four people.

“Thank you for your hard work. Min-dol, Ahn Ji-dong, Kim Yong-seong, Lee Byeong-woo.”

“I am so grateful, Your Majesty.”

“It is an honor that you remember my names.”

“Is there anything I can do for you other than fill your pockets and remember your name?”

Jiwoo walked towards the train.

The eastern tigers, who had been looking around curiously, followed behind.

“There’s a gap in the wheel, so it rolls along the tracks.”

“But you don’t have any words?”

“Just wait. They’ll bring it over soon.”

Knock knock.

As I opened the sliding door and entered, I saw a long row of leather chairs.

“This is nice. It’s fluffier than my carriage.”

“Is this transparent window made of quartz?”

“I think it’s the same glass I saw at the wedding.”

Ji-dong Ahn, the senior researcher in charge of the department, entered the car.

“We’re leaving soon. There will be some noise, so don’t be alarmed.”

“Oh, I’m looking forward to it.”

“That’s interesting. It was a good choice to follow His Highness.”

Beep, beep, squeak.

Rattle rattle.

Chock, chock, chock, chock.

“This is it. The ride is amazing.”

“The view outside the window is beautiful. That river, or is it the sea? The sunset is spectacular.”

The train raced past the water sparkling in the sunset.

“Huh? Hey, you’re speechless. What’s going on here?”

“Hey, does that make sense? You’d pull it from the square in front.”

“Well, I guess so?”

An Ji-dong, who was about to explain something, opened his mouth and stopped, and Ji-woo shrugged his shoulders. Right now, he thought it would be better to just enjoy it than to explain.

“You look happy. You look like kids on a picnic.”

Gobur Ahapchul smiled at Jiwoo’s teasing.

“Wouldn’t it be great to be able to retire before your energy runs out?”

“Hahaha, that’s right. It’s truly new and wonderful. I look forward to seeing what kind of world Your Majesty will show us in the future.”

“I didn’t expect to see such a happy sight.”

Jiwoo tilted his head.

“I need to reconsider your retirement order.”

“Your Majesty.”

“Your Majesty has never lied… … .”

The terrified people all spoke up, and the number of words they spoke up was in the dozens.

Beep, beep. Choo-choo-choo.

Rattle rattle.

In the midst of all this, the iron horse ran.

* * *

“Retirement is a bolt from the blue.”

Gukmin Seo looked up at Yi Sun-sin with a serious expression.

The sunshade cast a shadow over the hot sun. Blue waves lapped the white sandy beach behind them.

“Haha. As I get older, even taking a few steps becomes a daily routine.”

“Please lay down a cushion here.”

Gukmin Seo quickly picked up the cushion next to him and handed it over.

“It’s a little better. Even my butt is saggy now. That’s just the passage of time.”

“The general’s achievements will be remembered in history.”

Gukmin Seo sat down in his seat, even providing a cushion for the back of the outdoor chair.

“The brilliant achievements of the general have brought peace to the South Sea. His name will continue to be worthy of that name.”

“It’s a waste of time. But it’s a little hot.”

“Oh, please wait a moment.”

Gukmin Seo picked up a fan from a nearby table and handed it over.

“It’s much better.”

Yi Sun-sin’s white flame fluttered in the fanning.

“I am already sixty-one years old. As a warrior, I have no regrets about protecting the seas of my country. Now that my strength has waned, my part ends here.”

His tanned skin and pure white beard represented a veteran.

“The peace of the future must be protected not by the illusion of name value, but by the power of those who must live in this era.”

Yi Sun-sin turned his gaze toward the port.

It seemed that foreign mercenaries were busy shipping the spoils of war.

“I like the author.”

“yes?”

“I’m talking about the one commanding the mercenaries over there.”

“Ah, my name is Maenojo Husuga. I am the lord of the Hyuga Domain in Kyushu.”

“It looks useful.”

Yi Sun-sin nodded and stared blankly.