Chapter 1049

Episode 1049: The Age of War – The Age of Copycat. (8)

“However, the content of the appeal is not unfair, so I would like to hear the opinions of the officers.”

The ministers began to deliberate upon the prefect’s order. But the answer was to some extent determined. This was because when an appeal was submitted, the royal office that received it copied it and delivered one copy to the emperor, another copy to the prime minister, and another copy to the minister of the relevant department. Therefore, the answer to the appeal was formulated to some extent in advance through a meeting between the Prime Minister and the ministers.

The emperor’s job was to listen to the answer and add his own thoughts or point out problems. Thanks to this, the answer came quickly. Prime Minister Han Chi-hyeong stepped forward, bowed his head, and spoke to Hyeon.

“The story about the flying machine is already known to some extent. Also, among those who witnessed this event were many merchants and sailors from foreign countries. It would be impossible to stop all of them. So, it would be too much too little to stop them all. “There it is. I think it’s best to erase only the appropriate parts.”

In response to Han Chi-hyeong’s answer, Hyeon immediately followed up with a question.

“What do you mean by an appropriate part?”

“I think we just need to remove the part about the new external combustion engine.”

“Hmm... I see. Then let’s do it. Organize it in documents and send it to the censorship department.”

“I follow your orders.”

Hyeon’s decision was refreshing. This was because Hyun had already made a similar decision.

* * *

Hyeon, who received the appeal through Seungjeongwon, discussed it with Hyang Wan.

“What do you want the emperor to do?”

Hyun answered Wan’s question right away.

“I think it would be better to delete only the new external combustion engine part. Doesn’t everyone already know about flying machines? There are more than one flying machine that Hansoo has flown so far.”

Both Wan and Hyang nodded at Hyeon’s answer.

“I think that would be good. The new external combustion engine is still known only to our empire, so it is best to keep it hidden, but it is not a flying machine, is it? From what I heard, there are more than a few people in foreign countries who are already flying something similar.”

“What do you think, Taesang?”

Hyang nodded to Hyun’s question.

“I agree.”

In this way, the county also entered the meeting with its own initiative. What’s interesting is that although Hyang agreed with what Hyeon and Wan said, his intentions were slightly different.

‘If you look at the current situation, whatever the empire makes, they are just copying it. It’s no fun like this. To be honest, that new external combustion engine is like that too. With a little more work, an internal combustion engine could be created, but it’s still messing around over there, right? ‘Something externally stimulates me.’

The new external combustion engine used in various objects made by the empire, especially the monks and blades, could be seen as a type of O-parts.

* * *

When petroleum first began to be used as a fuel, the wick was used to ensure safe and efficient combustion. It was a method that used the frame of an oil stove to control the heating power by adjusting the height of the wick. Although it had the advantage of being easy to control and operate, there were also problems. It was said to be too inconvenient to be applied to the engines of assault vehicles or front lines.

“But you can’t directly light a barrel of oil like coal...”

“If you make a mistake, you’ll be reduced to ashes in one hit, right?”

Researchers at the research institute and artisans from Area 51 and 52 worked together to create a safe and efficient combustion device.

“Huh? Are you saying that the crazy things that crazy guy in our town did weren’t just crazy?” ”

Are you saying that something that has only been rumored for a long time will finally be made?”

“It means that if the Empire openly announces it, there is a high possibility of it becoming a reality. In that case, I too...”

Those who believed in rumors heard in the past and were obsessed with experiments were re-evaluated, and some started taking on the challenge belatedly. And there were also those who thought of profit.

“All the objects made by the empire are These are things that make a lot of money. The Empire won’t just create flying objects for fun. I’m sure they’re doing it because it makes money. Then...”

Those who thought they would make money contacted people who were said to be conducting similar experiments and invested. Those who had devoted themselves to research and development alone, enduring criticism and ridicule from all directions, shed tears over their investment decision. I was grateful.

“Thank you! Thank you!”

However, on the contrary, scams trying to take advantage of this to get a share of the investment money began to run rampant. A speculative craze, later called the ‘flying bubble’, began to spread both in the East and the West.

* * *

Information about flying was available in each country. It also went into the military.

“Wait.....You can fly even if you don’t have air sacs? And is it more free to maneuver?”

Military figures showed great interest in the military value of flying machines. They had already witnessed aerial battles between self-propelled flying aircraft during the war between France and the Habsburgs. It is possible to maneuver more freely than that. It was impossible to just ignore this flurry of action. Among them, the first to move most enthusiastically were France and Habsburg. France and

Habsburg stopped the fierce fighting and took a breather. France and Habsburg were keenly aware of the importance of securing air superiority. As soon as they received the information, they immediately gathered together scholars and craftsmen.

“We must control the sky to control the battlefield!”

Following France and the Habsburgs, it was Japan that showed strong will. Thanks to the characteristics of its territory as an archipelago, Japan was able to monitor the sea. He was sincere. However, it was unreasonable to rely entirely on the front. Not only did he have to keep an eye on the empire, but his economic power itself also had its limits.

“Fronts are not something worth a penny or two, but it is necessary to maintain a naval force by commandeering those fronts. It also costs a lot of money....”

In this situation, Japan showed interest in the empire’s self-powered flying aircraft. The small number of self-powered flying aircraft that were introduced showed excellent capabilities, and Japan, satisfied with them, continued to introduce more. Licensed production was also carried out. Japan was satisfied with the large-scale operation of self-propelled aircraft, but there were also things it was dissatisfied with.

“It’s a trade-off...” They were

dissatisfied with the range and speed and researched ways to solve this problem. As soon as Japan heard about the flying machine, they immediately took action.

“We can’t just look at the empire’s back forever!” At the very least, we have to catch up to the point just behind the empire!”

Japan focused the manpower it had trained so far on developing flying machines. And, following Japan’s lead, it jumped into the development of Mingdo flying machines.

“For scouting large areas bordering Mongolia, flying machines may be better than horses. there is. And since he will soon be crowned king, shouldn’t he make a mark to hand over to the crown prince?’

Although it was for military and political reasons, there were no ministers who opposed it.

* * *

While the East and the West were boiling over in a heated battle, Hyun was looking through the blueprints at Gyeongbokgung Palace.

“Where was that? I definitely left it somewhere here...”

Hyun, who was searching every nook and cranny of his personal studio, soon found a blueprint and smiled brightly.

“This is it!”

On the blueprint it was written ‘Self-powered flight aircraft carrier’.