Chapter 1068

Episode 1068: Pavement Stone (3)

“Hmm... Let’s start like this first.”

Imperial and Ming Japanese officials began to revisit the plans they had drawn up.

-First, diplomatic envoys and troops to escort them are sent to Tabriz, where Ismail is staying.

-Secure an appropriate beachhead while negotiating with Ismail from diplomatic missions.

-The bridgehead connected to the sea route and the land route near Basra are secured at Ragai (near modern Tehran).

-Afterwards, a railway connecting Basra to Tabriz and a railway connecting Ragai to Tabriz will be built.

-Afterwards, the railway starts from Lagai and continues eastward, expanding into an east-west crossing railway connecting Beijing and Liaodong.

The ultimate goal was to create one gigantic ring that connects airways and railways. If this were to happen, Ming and Japan would be able to reap stable and steady economic benefits through land and sea routes. Of course, the owner of a large stake was the empire. In addition, the safety of land routes would be lessened as Japan would take responsibility for the safety of sea routes. In particular, the land route that Ming would take charge of managing was the traditional Silk Road, so the empire would be able to expand its trade targets more easily.

“.....and the name of this plan...”

The title of the plan created by the working-level staff of the Three Kingdoms Union was soon reported to the Emperor of the Empire, the Emperor of Japan, and received approval.

“It’s okay...”

Unlike the monarchs who gave favorable evaluations, Hyang placed his hand on his forehead after receiving the report.

“If anything...”

The name chosen by the working-level officials was ‘One Belt, One Road.’

– Surrounds it with one path, like a belt.

“As others say, these guys also have poor naming skills. Is this what writers make a living out of? As long as I don’t get the results I know, it’ll be fine. Huh~.”

After letting out a long sigh, Hyang looked up at the sky and muttered.

“No matter how good our intentions are, let’s not go as far as the ‘Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere.’”

I made a firm decision about what scent I was praying for that wasn’t a prayer and unfolded the paper.

“No, now that I’m thinking about it, it would be better to hit the player in advance.”

Hyang began writing a proposal to submit to Hyeon.

“.....Let’s make the word ‘Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere’ itself a taboo that cannot even be spoken.”

The person who first coined the term ‘Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere’ was an analytical philosopher who opposed militarism. However, contrary to his intentions, it has become a word that clearly symbolizes Japan’s militarism and imperialism.

“....That’s why we’re cutting it out in advance!”

The proposal sent by Hyang was immediately delivered to Hyeon. Hyun, who accepted his brother’s proposal, immediately gathered the prime minister and ministers.

“What do you think?”

“Han Chi-hyeong came forward and answered Hyeon’s question.

“If you think about the explanation, it is a really good word. Just thinking about it, it is difficult for me to agree with what Tae Sang-tae asked me to forbid. However, considering the words attached after that, I think it is reasonable. It’s just that the words have such a beautiful meaning that it’s hard to hide my regretful feelings.”

All the ministers nodded at Han Chi-hyeong’s answer. Hyeon also nodded at the ministers’ reaction.

”

Jim, I think the same way too. However, considering what Tae Sang-taeng added, it makes sense that Tae-sang Sang-tae recommended that it is better to abstain. “Ha~.”

Hyun couldn’t hide his disappointment and sighed. The contents of the proposal submitted by Hyang were summarized as follows:

-Dong-Ah refers to the area east of what Europeans call Asia. It is roughly the land of movement. It means and country.

– Pursuing the common prosperity of countries located in this wide area is truly a good thing.

– But look at the reality. There are countries that are prosperous and others that are not. There are people who believe in Buddhism. There are countries and there are countries that believe in Islam.

-When many people gather together, it is difficult to unite their thoughts and actions. Why is there the saying ’10 people and 10 colors’? -Look at it

even now. Empire and Ming. How much effort did Japan have to put in to work together? Even though it was the gathering of three countries who all equally pursued the ‘kingdom politics’ that the old sages had spoken of –

“Hmm...”

The officials gathered in small groups put their heads together and thought over and over again.

“For something to happen in Gibraltar, problems have to arise in Europe.”

“No. “Mediterranean Sea.”

“Mediterranean... What could possibly cause trouble in the Mediterranean?”

“Gibraltar alone is weak. It has to be bigger.”

“And Ottoman? It’s Osman!”

“I see. Osman is the most likely.”

“Hold on? If it’s Ottoman, doesn’t Persia also become a problem?”

“Eye~. Persia is just beginning. And are we the only ones going into Persia? Ming and Japan...”

The officials who had been analyzing up to that point froze. The Empire was a great power, but the Ming was also a great power. According to what the Ministry of National Defense studied and considered, the Ming power alone could take on more than half of Europe. It was to the extent of appearing.

And although it was far inferior to the empire, Japan was also a formidable country. And these three countries joined hands to advance into Persia. The rumor that problems were brewing in the Ottomans and Persia meant that there was a problem between Europe and the East. It was a sound that a problem was brewing.

In other words....

“It means the whole world is divided into two and fighting.”

The officials who had analyzed that far looked at Su Ganggung.

“Are you really thinking that far?”

And this is it. A similar conclusion was being drawn between the prime minister and the ministers.

“Do you really think of such a great war?”

“I don’t know. Because you haven’t said anything yet. Isn’t it just a guess?”

“Looking at the data that Tae Sang-tae asked me to find, I’m almost certain that I guessed it.”

“Huh~”

Han Chi-hyeong let out a long sigh and looked back at the Minister of National Defense.

“Just like the story that just came out . What do you think will happen if a war of such an enormous scale breaks out?”

To Han Chi-hyeong’s question, the Minister of National Defense briefly answered,

“Unprecedented.”

“Unprecedented?”

“That’s right. This is unprecedented. War is a monster. War is something that cannot do the simple calculation that if it is twice as big, it eats twice as much.”

In response to the Minister of National Defense’s answer, Han Chi-hyeong and the other officials sighed.

“Whew.”

“What did you expect, Tae Sang-tae? .....”

And as time passed, Wan returned from Sinji. Arriving in Wonsan, Wan went straight to Sugang Palace without any official welcome ceremony. Not long after Wan entered Sugang Palace, Hyeon and Crown Prince Woo also entered Sugang Palace. From then on ,

the eyes and ears of all the officials in Seoul were focused on Sugang Palace.

“The reason I urgently asked you to come here is so that we can discuss this together.”

Hyang opened his mouth like this and distributed hand-made reports one by one.

“If anything ,” he said. I didn’t know if it would be leaked beforehand, so I made it myself.”

At Hyang’s words, Wan and Hyunwoo had the same thought at the same time.

‘Then I guess I can keep it as an heirloom?’

Wan and Hyun, who checked the cover of the report while avoiding random thoughts that suddenly came to mind, simultaneously expressed their doubts:

“Total national war?”