1592 The Empire We All Dreamed of - Chapter 345



Only Krnovel

Jiwoo took down the phrase that was posted on one side of the conference room.

The phrase, “Patience” (忍) written in a fairly powerful handwriting and “The military guarantees peace through its mere existence.”

“That’s nonsense. It’s a waste to save up all that money and just feed it to it.”

“It seems like your position has changed a lot.”

Kim Myeong-seop accepted the paper and laughed heartily.

In the past, when he was conserving his strength, he would often shout, “Just a little more,” and long for peace. At that time, war was a loss, but now it is a goose that lays golden eggs.

“The past and present are different. You have to use your strength when you have it.”

“But I feel regret at Your Majesty’s words.”

Jiwoo was silent for a moment.

“I’m sorry. I was rude.”

“No. The adjutant is not a man who can read hearts, so he should always wake me up with straightforward words.”

Kim Myeong-seop, who had been studying Ji-woo’s face for a moment, continued speaking.

“For the sake of those who believe in and follow you, please do not waver. I may be presumptuous, but I believe that a king is not a being that suffers, but a being that moves forward.”

“Good words for those who move forward.”

“I’m sorry.”

“What are you worried about?”

In fact, he might have been the one feeling uneasy. Jiwoo buried himself in the chair.

“Your Majesty has always given us confidence. No one can deny that we have come this far thanks to that. So why are you wavering now?”

“Even if you go down the wrong path, you can’t deny what’s right.”

“How will you bear that guilt?”

“Because we are human, we can be greedy. Sometimes we can step on others to get ahead. That is the reality of being human. However, the moment we believe that is right, we can no longer be human.”

“As you said, it is human, so don’t be distressed.”

Jiwoo shook his head.

“If you don’t even feel guilty, you’ll end up like a demon wearing a turban. How is this any different from Toyotomi Hideyoshi?”

“It’s different. We don’t kill civilians and we don’t collect 70% of their taxes.”

“Because I have a conscience that comes from guilt.”

“conscience······.”

“That’s right. There is no absolute good in the world. There is no absolute evil either. Humans are beings who live while being swayed by the center of it. So we must always look back and reflect.”

“······.”

Jiwoo also closed his eyes, leaving Kim Myeongseop blankly lost in thought.

‘But those are just crocodile tears.’

To have power, to rule. What a simple and clear law.

But the world is not that simple. Those who do not recognize this law kill each other and die to avenge their family and for the glory of their family.

‘He who starts a war must bear the original sin.’

Jiwoo grabbed his head.

‘Can I afford it?’

By accepting the sinners of Joseon, they successfully increased the population and established a system. Any sinner became a docile lamb before the frost of the North, and Joseon was purified to that extent.

Now it was time to decide.

If Goryeo and Joseon had become one, they would have stood tall as a world power and their good role might have been fulfilled.

‘But I am plotting war under all kinds of pretexts.’

As my breathing became more rapid due to all sorts of thoughts, someone tapped me on the shoulder.

“Whew, whoosh.”

“Are you okay? You don’t look well.”

“Ah, it’s you.”

The worried face of the ox was visible. Behind him, Kim Myeong-seop was seen fidgeting.

“It’s okay. Myeongseop, bring me a cup of tea.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Sit down.”

The seated creature glanced at the writing on the table.

“That’s right. ‘The military guarantees peace just by its existence.’ That’s a good saying.”

“Isn’t there anything suitable to write as a new phrase?”

“Is this new?”

The bastard, who had been blinking for a while, smiled bitterly as if he understood.

“Now that I think about it, things have changed. Hmm, ‘Peace is preserved by strength.’ That’s a bit weak.”

Even the cold and calm beast looked confident. That was because the infantry in the line following the Japanese artillery bombardment was nearly invincible.

At that moment, Kim Myeong-seop put down the teapot.

Slurp.

Only then did the beast put down his writing and pick up his teacup.

“Are you ready?”

“The shipment of cannons, gunpowder, and food has been completed. We are now checking personal equipment.”

“How long has it been since you returned, and now you’re sending us out to the battlefield again?”

“I took a break for half a year, so that’s enough.”

Jiwoo sighed briefly.

“If we hold on any longer, the ones waiting will just get tired.”

He cleared the papers from the table and put the map down.

“The mine is within 20 ri (8 km) of the port here. According to information from Satsuma, there are 500 men guarding the port and 300 men managing the mine.”

“Is that all?”

Jiwoo nodded.

“According to the information, yes. Their armament is at the level of a security force, and their defensive facilities are limited to a barracks and a watchtower.”

“I heard it was the best silver mine in Honshu, but it was unexpected.”

Jiwoo laughed.

“I guess you could say it was an opportunity brought about by a brief moment of peace.”

After the invasion of Imjin and the Battle of Sekibune, Honshu was financially exhausted as a whole. In the meantime, it was difficult to maintain troops while facing each other.

“But the problem is what happens after the occupation. Since the mine contributes a significant portion of Osaka’s finances, Hideyori’s side will not sit idly by and watch.”

“We’ll have to switch to defensive warfare right after we take over.”

“You don’t have to worry about the small and medium-sized lords nearby. Just block Osaka’s forces.”

“We will build batteries on high ground and dig trenches.”

The two people nodded as they recalled their experiences in ‘Gojijeon’.

“It will take at least two weeks and at most a month for Osaka to respond. In the meantime, Minseo will join forces with Satsuma’s mercenaries to secure a supply route, and the first objective is for the caravan to begin supplying the goods.”

“I will definitely hold out until then.”

“The next one would be politics. The Steel Bank, the Satsuma Merchant, and the Yan Merchant will put pressure on Osaka. Oh, and······.”

Jiwoo stroked his beard.

“Yi Sun-sin will also move somehow.”

“If you are the Southern Sea Governor, you will understand the situation well.”

“He will move in a direction that benefits Joseon. Minseo also said that he would attack that area in the first place. What do you think? There will be no problem with the mission, right?”

“I understand the landing, the breakthrough, and then the defense.”

The bastard nodded as if he understood.

“Solbin will complete his mission without wavering.”

“Okay, the kids will be waiting. Get up now.”

“I will serve you.”

The two people got up from their seats and left the conference room.

The words ‘Patience’ were scattered all over the floor.

“insect!”

As we left the central government building, leaving the guards behind, the escort called out to us for words. The sight of soldiers lined up in the port square came into view.

Jiwoo, who was on horseback, went down the hill.

Warm, warm.

“I won’t be seeing you for a while.”

“The duty of a military commander is not to serve His Majesty at His Majesty’s side, but to implement His Majesty’s will on the battlefield······.”

“Sister-in-law, that’s what I’m saying.”

“ah.”

“I’m worried. Even the Prime Minister is foaming at the mouth in opposition, so I can’t move. Because of that, you’re going to have a lot of work to do.”

“I agree that Your Majesty should remain in his seat.”

“Is that so? Even you are not on my side, huh?”

Jiwoo quickly moved forward. He soon entered the square and turned gently to stand in front of the soldiers.

Hehehee.

“Are you gathered, my soldiers?”

Warm, warm.

He walked past the commander in the front row and towards the soldiers.

“We’ve been hiding our power and doing our best to protect Solbin’s safety. But after conquering Seoto last year, everything changed.”

1,800 people followed the leader without moving and only nodding their heads.

“We have confirmed it. The great army of the Heavenly Army is being torn apart by the Jincheon Thunder, the cannons are destroying the walls, and the arrogant Han people are being crushed!”

Some of the veterans nodded.

“There is no need to hide it anymore. Solbin will show off his power and roam the world.”

Jiwoo moved the reins and entered the center of the line.

“How can you change so suddenly when you were once in a situation where you held your breath and longed for peace? That’s the way the world is, so there’s no need to endure it. And it’s my order as the king!”

He raised his voice.

“Go! Go and seize the silver mine! And advance until the day when Solbin’s currency becomes the world’s currency!”

“Wow!”

The soldiers answered with a thunderous roar.

“Wow, Solbin! Solbin!”

“Form your units!”

“Rifle Battalion 1st Platoon, turn right!”

“4th Artillery Battalion, turn left! Go straight to the designated scaffolding!”

Chuck, chuck, chuck, chuck.

“Then I will go.”

“Please take good care of it.”

The beast got off his horse and headed towards the scaffolding. There, he saw about 50 panokseons sailing back and forth across the territorial waters, carrying soldiers.

The huge clouds hanging over the horizon in the blue sky were leisurely.

* * *

There was a ship sailing alone across the vast blue sea.

It was a single-hulled panokseon with oars, and the markings of the South Sea Navy Camp were clearly visible on its yellow sails.

Clang, thud.

The wave that hit the player broke into foam.

“Ugh, I guess there’s nothing left to do.”

“I’ve only ever been on a boat, but this big ocean is so scary, ugh, ugh.”

The Panokseon was a large ship measuring 30 cheok (9 m) wide and 100 cheok (30 m) long. Men in traditional attire were spread out on its wide deck.

At that moment, the boat rocked violently as it passed over the swell.

“Oh my, take my hand.”

“Eww.”

But the one who rolled across the deck only stopped when he got caught on the opposite side of the ship.

The sailors giggled when they saw that sight.

“Grab anything and hold on tight. Or go into the cabin.”

They were not mean, but they were not kind either. They only gave advice that was absolutely necessary for survival, knowing that only those who have suffered defeat are gentle.

“Your Majesty the Great is in good health.”

“I guess there must be a song that goes up and down the Gyeonggang River.”

“Hehehe, what is this? This is my first time in such a distant sea.”

These were the acting governors of Uiju, Gyeongsang of Gyeonggi-do, and Naesang of Busanpo. Except for Gyeongsang, they were still in the process of consolidating their power, so they were hardly even called acting governors.

“Anyway, what do you want to do with us now?”

Whether you are noble or lowly, life is precious. Those who run the upper class have accumulated a lot of wealth, so they have even more regrets about life.

“Considering the fact that they’ve kept you alive so far, I don’t think they’ll kill you.”

“I still don’t know what the situation is.”

“I think you can understand it as, ‘We’ve been tricked and are being dragged somewhere.’”

As he said, he was kidnapped while going around stores, while returning from bribing a coffin, or while doing a concubine’s business in the middle of the night.

Those who treated the escorts like children had a tingling sensation spread throughout their bodies.

‘If you follow along, I’ll let you go in a month.’

‘What, what is that?’

‘No questions will be allowed from now on.’

They were the ones who reached the top after going through rough times, but they submitted when faced with the threat of death.

And so the days passed.

The sun in May (June in the solar calendar) was quite hot, but it was cool enough to feel the sea breeze in the shade of the sail.

“Ha, it’s been six days since we left Jemulpo. Where on earth are we going?”

A passing sailor responded to his sigh.

“They’re all here. I can see them over there.”

“It’s land. It’s Kagoshima Port.”

“Kagoshima?”

“What country is this? And what about these people?”

All the great masters based in Uiju shook their heads.

“These are Koreans. Their accents are definitely northern dialects.”

“Is that a good thing?”

The distance to the port gradually narrowed.

In their eyes, Kagoshima Port was crowded with ships and people.

The square was teeming with ronin, and a long line formed in front of the lord of the Hyuga clan, Maenojo Husuga. His vassals sat beside him, helping with the interview.

“Name, age, career.”

“Nabe Shinichi, twenty-five years old, participated in the Siege of Kumamoto in the fifth year of Keicho (1600).”

“Do you have a last name?”

“I was kicked out of my family and created a new surname.”

After answering, the man wiped his face with his hand.

“Pass. Two sacks of white rice as prepayment, and other winning bonuses and rewards according to merit will be according to custom. Next.”

“thank you.”

As he bowed and stood up, a soldier approached him and guided him.

“The empty warehouse on the right is the barracks. Meals are served at 7:00-9:00 AM and 5:00-7:00 PM, and other than that, you can eat freely······.”

Ishinori, the hero of the Battle of Beijing, was also in the middle of an interview.

He too checked the ronin’s face and searched his memory, repeatedly shouting “pass” and “next”, but the line left behind was long.

A little further away, Kookminseo was sitting with a blank expression on his face.

“It’s boring.”

Maenozo Husuga and Ishinori were chosen by Yi Sun-sin to be the future tax administrators of Kyushu, and had proven their skills in the Battle of Beijing.

He was particularly capable of managing troops, so there was no need to interfere.

The eyes of the people turned towards the port.

“Panokseon? It’s faster than I thought.”

After a while, adjutant Kim Deok-yun approached and reported.

“The leader of the 2nd reconnaissance company just arrived.”

“Come on, let’s go.”

He got up from his seat and walked towards the dock.

End