Chapter 703

Episode 703: The Second Battle of the Yellow Sea (1)

As the township was secretly preparing for a stable transfer of power, information about the newly built super-giant battle line started to come in through various channels.

“Is this information true?”

Minshin immediately bowed his head and answered Hyang’s question.

“I’ve checked it over and over again, but I’m sure it’s true.”

“Is that so? Hmm...”

Hyang muttered to himself as he examined the report in his hand.

‘It’s definitely hard to hide something this big. It was easy for us to hide the existence of the assault return ship because we had the East Sea...’ *

* *

Operating a new front was not an easy task.

Even if it was a type of wire that had been in operation before, when it was newly created, its characteristics were slightly different. Therefore, it took time for a new ship to be launched and put into service. This was because it took time for the sailors who would operate the ship to become accustomed to the ship’s personality.

Because the situation was like that, building a completely new ship was bound to take a longer time until it was commissioned.

This was something that could not be helped no matter how skilled the sailors were.

The reason why the assault return ship was able to go undetected during that time was because Joseon had complete control over the West and South Seas at the time.

There were no Ming or Japanese ships that penetrated the surveillance network of the Joseon Navy to the East Sea, where the assault return ship was in full swing.

This was because they were forcibly captured by the Joseon navy or disappeared into the sea.

On the other hand, Myeong was in an unavoidable situation. As the empire took complete control of the southwestern province (now Taiwan), which the Ming called Dongban, it was not easy to avoid the empire’s eyes in the Yellow and South Seas.

No, it wasn’t just the Empire’s eyes that were the problem. The Yellow Sea and the South Sea were the routes through which trade ships traveled. It was impossible to avoid all the eyes of the trading ships that came and went several times a day.

Therefore, at some point, rumors began to circulate about Myeong’s giant front, and as soon as the facts were confirmed through various channels, a report was sent to Hyang.

* * *

“But the information is more detailed than I thought?”

After reading the report carefully, Hyang pointed out suspicious parts to Min Shin.

There was no part about core secrets – firepower, navigation ability, defense, etc. – but the approximate size, number of guns mounted, propulsion method, maximum speed, etc. were written in quite detail.

Minshin bowed his head and responded to Hyang’s point.

“The Navy’s analysis team was also surprised by that. “I thought it might be disguised information, so I sent a spy ship disguised as a merchant ship to check, and most of it turned out to be true.”

“Hmm...”

Hyang, who was stroking her chin and contemplating Min Shin’s answer, shook her head slightly.

“There are no really important secrets, but it is too lax...”

Seeing Hyang’s uneasy look, Foreign Minister Heo Hu shared his thoughts.

“I believe it was leaked on purpose.”

“You spilled it on purpose? wherefore?”

“yes. One is to warn our empire by secretly revealing that the performance of the new giant battleship is formidable, and the other is to raise the morale of their people and soldiers by spreading the word that a powerful battleship comparable to our empire’s assault ship exists. coming.”

“That seems reasonable. “What do you think, Prime Minister?”

Kim Jeom nodded and answered Hyang’s question.

“I also believe that the Minister of Foreign Affairs’ thoughts are reasonable.”

“Same goes for Jim.”

Hyang agreed with Kim Jong’s words and asked the question again.

“Is this the only new ship?”

Minshin answered Hyang’s question again.

-Perhaps, if the sea conditions worsen even a little, it will become impossible to properly operate the large battle line in question.

‘Why aren’t large catamarans or multihulls built even in the 21st century?’

As Hyang said, even in the 21st century, when shipbuilding technology has developed, the number of large catamarans is small. In particular, there was even less military use. The Spearhead-class expeditionary high-speed transport used by the U.S. Navy was a symbol of large military catamarans.

Hyang added, explaining the reason why Myeong’s new type of wire cannot advance into the deep sea.

“If that front line was truly a threat, I would have taken the initiative to build a new front line.”

‘It’s the best opportunity to openly cheat, so why would you miss it!’

“ah!”

As Hyang finished speaking, Minshin and all the ministers simultaneously let out exclamations.

‘I forgot! ‘What kind of person is the emperor!’

The Hyang they knew was someone who never missed an opportunity. Hyang was the one who created all kinds of things using it as long as there was a reason for it. The meaning of the fact that such a scent discouraged Minshin from speaking was clear.

– Myeong’s new front is full of bravado!

Looking down at the ministers, Hyang continued speaking.

“Of course, the Yellow Sea is a place with calm seas, so their new front could pose a threat. However, if the Empire’s navy does not lose its composure and responds properly, it cannot be a major threat. ah! Of course, there seems to be a need to improve the performance of fire bombs used on the assault return line and other fronts. Regarding this matter, please write a plan as soon as possible and submit it to the crown prince.”

“I follow your orders.”

* * *

As the meeting ended, the ministers began to leave Geunjeongjeon one by one.

But in the meantime, Minshin and Kim Jeom continued to bicker.

“Hey, Captain Min! “I clearly said no to the additional construction of the assault return line, so why are you making a fuss about it by bringing it up!”

“That’s not true because the captain shouted from the beginning without even listening properly!”

“Of course it’s fire! There are already two ships,

and the Chinese don’t really know how many ships they will build, so they can’t just build them! “You have to think about your budget!”

“That damn budget budget! “We know the importance of budget, so we didn’t just ask to build one more ship!”

“That piece of iron is worth a penny or two!”

“I told you not to waste your money like that! “The captain said, I didn’t file a complaint against His Majesty!”

“The bottom line is, Your Majesty didn’t say it was impossible!”

At Kim Jeom’s last words, Minshin kept his mouth shut, and Kim Jeom had the expression of a winner.

Minshin, who eventually returned to the Ministry of Defense, screamed at the entrance.

“Gather under me! In particular, those in charge of planning and analysis should not be left out! “Anyone who falls out will be sent to the record office!”

* * *

Meanwhile, after all the ministers left, Hyang and Wan, who remained in the empty Geunjeongjeon, continued their conversation with serious faces.

“I’m worried about that person.”

“Does Your Majesty also think that Ming will provoke the empire?”

Hyang nodded to Wan’s question.

“Before our empire arose, the Ming Dynasty was the loser who ruled the surrounding area. However, since they lost to us and lost their spot, it is certain that their pride was greatly hurt. They will definitely aim for Gwonto Jungrae. Phew~.”

After sighing for a long time, Hyang looked back at Wan with a face full of worry.

“The question is when is that time? Wasn’t it the Joongwon that brought out the ‘Washin Counseling’ test? “They have already tasted the bitterness once, so they will endure it again and again to find the best opportunity.”

“It is indeed so. “We must not let our guard down even for a moment.”

Nodding her head in response to Wan, Hyang muttered to herself.

‘Would you rather just create a gap?’