Chapter 173

Chapter 173

Upon seeing Sejongs favorable reaction, Hyang opened his mouth once more.

Your Majesty, I have another request to make.

When opportunity knocks, row your boat! he thought.

As soon as the word request popped out, Sejong replied in a stern voice.

Another? If its about the budget for Area 51, there isnt any.

Its not about Area 51. Its for the defense of our Joseon.

Sejong, who had been tense in anticipation of another budget-related request, slightly relaxed upon hearing Hyangs words.

Lets hear it.

Yes, Your Majesty. Eunuch, go to the Eastern Palace and bring the fortification model.'

Yes, Your Highness.

Following Hyangs order, the eunuch hurried out of the Geunjeongjeon Hall.

The ministers, especially those from the Ministry of Taxation, Ministry of Personnel, and Ministry of Public Works, swallowed dryly and prayed inwardly.

Please! Anything but a budget-heavy project!

Something with minimal personnel!

The best would be for His Majesty to refuse it!

A moment later, four eunuchs entered, groaning under the weight of a large board covered with a cloth. The ministers closed their eyes tightly, alarmed by its sheer size.

Its doomed! Were doomed!

Look at the size of that! I can already hear us groaning!

I wont look! I refuse to look!

Sejong looked at the model placed on the large conference table brought in by other eunuchs.

Its quite large, isnt it? What is it?

In making the terrain model, it became somewhat large. The actual thing isnt as big.

The ministers, who had their eyes tightly shut and werent even looking, cautiously opened their eyes upon hearing the conversation between Sejong and Hyang particularly Hyangs words It isnt as big.

Remove the cloth.

Yes, Your Highness.

As the eunuch removed the cloth, a mock terrain made of plaster and weeds was revealed.

At the center of the terrain was a slightly elevated hill.

Hyang began his explanation, holding a pointer.

Upon examining the geography, our Joseons land features an east-high-west-low terrain. Hence, looking at the records of invasions since the ancient Three Han period, the western plains have been the main route of attack.Read latest chapters at novelhall.com Only

Thats true.

However, even in this western plain, the traffic routes are limited, and one must inevitably pass through hills and valleys.

Thats also true.

Sejong nodded thoughtfully in response to Hyangs words. Even as he earnestly answered her questions, Sejong couldnt hide his curiosity.

Why is he so diligently discussing facts that we all know?

Whether Hyang knew what Sejong was thinking or not, he continued his explanation with enthusiasm.

Stationing defense forces at all these strategic points would be a waste. In fact, with Joseons military budget, its impossible.

Im well aware of that.

Therefore

Hyang pointed to the wooden model placed on the hilltop.

Therefore, I propose installing rockfall barriers at these strategic points.

Sejong began to show great interest in Hyangs explanation.

Rockfall barriers?

Put simply, its like causing a landslide with human intervention.

What Hyang was proposing was akin to the anti-tank rockfall barriers that could still be seen in the northern areas of Seoul in the 21st century.

In the 21st century, these might be considered somewhat outdated, but their effectiveness now would be tremendous!

To reduce our own casualties

Sejong pondered Hyangs words.

Sejong was not ignorant of military strategy. According to military tactics, an army suffers the most casualties when retreating under enemy attack.

Unstoppable momentum, overwhelming victory was a phrase pleasant to the ears of the attackers, but utterly dreaded by those on the receiving end. Therefore, in such cases, it was common to organize units to hold back the enemy, even at the cost of high casualties.

However, with the equipment the Crown Prince mentioned, we can hold back the enemy while reducing our losses. But the problem is

After organizing his thoughts, Sejong posed a final question to Hyang.

All this is well and good, but Im not pleased with the assumption that were allowing an enemy invasion. Is our Joseon army so weak?

At Sejongs question, Jo Mal-saeng responded loudly.

Absolutely not! Our Joseon army would never permit an invasion by foreign enemies! I, Jo Mal-saeng, swear it on my life!

Hearing the military commanders response, Sejong turned to Hyang.

What do you say to that?

Hyang calmly replied.

The words of the military commander are correct. The primary objective of our Joseon army is to defend the homeland and ensure the safety and peace of Your Majesty and the people. Hence, they are vigorously training and vigilantly guarding against enemies on the border. This is beyond doubt.

As Hyang spoke, Jo Mal-saeng and the other military generals nodded vigorously. Glancing at them, Hyang continued.

However, it is said, Better safe than sorry. Preparing for the worst-case scenario allows us to establish more effective measures. This is not a matter of pride, but of survival.

Not pride, but survival

Sejong, mulling over Hyangs words again, let out a long sigh.

Sigh Lord Kim, Minister of Public Works, and Minister of Personnel.

At Sejongs call, the ministers, starting with Kim Jeom, bowed their heads.

Yes, Your Majesty.

You all will need to put in some extra effort. And to the rest of fellow ministers, please review the matter and coordinate with other departments as necessary.

We will heed your command.

The ministers bowed and replied.

Another task added to the pile

Its a regrettable necessity with no grounds for objection.

* * *

Back in the court, Sejong turned to Jo Mal-saeng.

Is this the end of the military issues?

No, it is not.

At Jo Mal-saengs response, Kim Jeom asked with a trembling voice.

Is there more?

Responding to Kim Jeoms water-laden question, Jo Mal-saeng replied softly.

My apologies.

What is the issue, military commander? Speak.

At Sejongs command, Jo Mal-saeng brought up his concern.

Yes, Your Majesty. Though it may seem disloyal to mention, during the recent suppression of the rebels, the Crown Prince used a new type of musket. Both the Royal Guard and the Inner Palace Guard praised its performance, suggesting we mass-produce and deploy these muskets to the Joseon army.

Ah? A new type of musket? Now that I think about it

Sejong, recalling the past event, turned to Hyang. He remembered that at that time, the Crown Prince had a musket he had never seen before. He hadnt seen it properly, but it definitely wasnt the standard matchlock musket.

But, the Crown Prince hid it immediately after the situation was resolved, didnt he?

Sejong, piecing together his memories, glared at Hyang.

I remember that too. Crown Prince, you indeed used a new musket then. Explain what that was about.

At Sejongs words, Hyang glared at Jo Mal-saeng.

Ah, this old man! Why must he speak so much!

Cursing Jo Mal-saeng inwardly, Hyang explained to Sejong.

Yes, I did use a new musket. However, that musket was experimental and has many issues that prevent its mass deployment in the Joseon army.