**Chapter 174: Feedback (3)**
"What is that problem? No, I shall hear the explanation while viewing the actual object."
Sejong, who would be second to none when it came to curiosity, ordered the actual item to be brought.
With Sejong's command, Hyang had the problematic Winchester rifle replica brought out.
"Truly smoothly made. Though it feels strange to describe a chongtong this way, it is beautiful."
Sejong's first impression upon seeing the problematic 'new-type chongtong' was 'beautiful.'
Sejong returned the chongtong to Hyang and descended from the throne.
"I wish to see its performance."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Sejong moved to the archery range created in one corner of Gyeongbokgung Palace.
With Sejong watching, Hyang demonstrated the Winchester rifle's firing.
Taang~.
"Truly remarkable!"
As the eighth and final shot ended, Sejong burst forth with exclamations of admiration.
"To think it can fire eight shots without pause! Furthermore, the range surpasses the Masantong—truly a remarkable chongtong!"
Though Sejong marveled, Hyang shook his head.
"This is a chongtong that cannot be used for military purposes."
"Why is that?"
"It is a matter of loading."
Hyang directly demonstrated the Winchester rifle's loading process.
"As you can see, each round must be loaded individually. Loading takes time, while firing is instantaneous, creating a significant gap in between."
"Cross-fire would solve that!"
Jo Mal-saeng raised a counterargument, but Hyang explained why that was impossible.
"During that recent unlawful incident, I used five rifles in rotation. Even then, time ran short later on, and I had to use guns loaded with only five rounds instead of eight. Cross-fire is not the answer. Also..."
Hyang held up a cartridge.
"As you can see, the part containing gunpowder is made of copper, not paper. Therefore, mass production is impossible."
"Isn't copper coming in well from Wa? Furthermore, copper mines have been discovered!"
Jo Mal-saeng did not give up, continuing his counterarguments.
However, Hyang was not one to back down easily.
"The amount of copper being supplied has increased, but the places using it have increased proportionally. It is still insufficient to make cartridge cases from copper as well."
"Cartridge case?"
At the unfamiliar word, Sejong expressed his confusion, and Hyang briefly explained.
"Yes, I have given it that name."
But Jo Mal-saeng, a man who did not know how to give up, kept pressing.
"If we recover the cartridge cases to the maximum..."
"Minister Jo! In training, recovery might be possible, but would that be possible in actual combat? Will you go around picking up cartridge cases in the middle of a fight?!"
At Hyang's words, Jo Mal-saeng had to close his mouth. Seeing Jo Mal-saeng's state, Hyang drove in the final nail.
"Even with just the Gap-sik Chongtong that the Joseon military currently uses, there is no rival in Wa or even in Ming. Yet you want to create a new chongtong? If Ming demands tribute of the new chongtong, like Tang did to Silla in the past, or demands that we produce artisans, what would you do?"
What Hyang mentioned was the Cheonbo-no (Thousand-pace Crossbow) incident between Tang and Silla. At that time, Tang's Gaozong, coveting Silla's Cheonbo-no, ordered Silla to send artisans. The artisan who crossed over, Gu Jinchon, consistently practiced sabotage, and ultimately Tang never obtained the Cheonbo-no.
Having mentioned the past incident, Hyang pointed out reality.
"I speak of Ming! Right now, maintaining a lead of just one step is the best course! Even if we possess technology two steps ahead, externally maintaining an appearance of being only one step ahead is the optimal situation! This is Joseon just beginning to sprout! We must absolutely not provoke Ming!"
At Hyang's words, Jo Mal-saeng's expression became gloomy. Sejong, who had been listening from the side, let out a sigh.
"Huu~. It seems the Crown Prince's words are correct for now. Regrettably, let us consider this matter undone. We could excessively provoke Ming."
"I receive your command."
Ultimately, Jo Mal-saeng had to set aside his desire for the Winchester rifle.
* * *
Having resolved the matter of the chongtong, Sejong, who had ascended to the throne again, conducted a meeting.
"Then, let us proceed to the next agenda item."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
The one who stepped forward at Sejong's command was Chief State Councillor Yi Jik.
"Your subject, Chief State Councillor Yi Jik. I have examined various situations while reflecting on this recent matter. In the process, I found several problems, but most were issues that could be resolved through the Gyeongjang. This is proof that Your Majesty's wise foresight has shone forth—all is Joseon's great fortune."
Yi Jik opened his speech with praise for Sejong. At Yi Jik's praise, Sejong replied with a small smile.
"You are gilding this humble one's face."
"It is not gilding."
"The Chief State Councillor's words are correct. Your Majesty is truly this Joseon's great blessing."
The ministers, one and all, continued their words of praise for Sejong.
Sejong's mood improved at the ministers' praise relay, but he did not overstep propriety.
"There is a saying that too much is as bad as too little, and excessive courtesy is discourtesy. I believe the same applies to praise for a monarch. Therefore, let us stop here. The pleasant words I have heard so far are sufficient."
Though spoken with a smile, it was a clear warning, so the ministers immediately moved to the main topic.
Chief State Councillor Yi Jik stepped forward again and continued speaking.
"Through this unjust event that occurred in the Samnam region, we discovered a problem with communication."
"A communication problem..."
At Yi Jik's statement, Sejong stroked his beard. The smile had disappeared from Sejong's face.
Yi Jik continued his explanation.
"Even excluding such unlawful incidents as this one, there are many matters requiring urgent reporting, such as foreign invasions and outbreaks of epidemics."
"That is true."
At Yi Jik's words, Sejong nodded and replied.
"Previously, the Ministry of War raised a similar point, and I ordered the relay stations to be reorganized. Is that still insufficient?"
"In normal times, relay stations alone would suffice. However, even with messenger horses, it takes three days starting from Dongnae in the south or Gilju in the north, and for messengers on foot, five days is considered fast. If this is the case in normal times, what would happen in urgent situations like wartime?"
"Indeed. When chaos breaks out, time is truly more precious than a thousand gold..."
Sejong nodded at Yi Jik's words.
"Then, is there an alternative?"
"Yes, installing beacon towers."
"Beacons..."
Sejong stroked his beard and nodded slowly.
'Certainly... Beacons would be fast.'
Thinking Yi Jik's words reasonable, Sejong asked again.
"To install beacon towers, suitable locations must first be selected. Has this problem been resolved?"
At Sejong's question, Yi Jik answered smoothly.
"Yes, since the founding of our Joseon, records have been organized regarding old fortresses from the Three Han period and Goryeo's fortresses. Among these fortresses, quite a few have beacon tower sites, so we can determine them by referring to these."
"I see."
Sejong nodded at Yi Jik's words.
Yi Jik continued his explanation, pointing to the map that was still standing.
"As a result of discussions at the State Council, we believe that establishing beacon lines extending east, west, south, and north of this Joseon, centered on Mokmyeoksan (Namsan) in Hanseong, would sufficiently fulfill its purpose."
"That sounds good."
Sejong continued nodding at Yi Jik's explanation.
Currently, in Joseon as well as in Ming and Wa combined, there was no communication means faster than beacons.
Hyang, who had been listening from the side, frowned.
'It's a good opinion, and the most reasonable one, but... I can't shake this feeling that something is lacking...'
While Hyang was pondering what gave him this sense of inadequacy, the ministers and officials who were observing Hyang's expression began to tense up.
'The Crown Prince's expression is not good!'
'Look at that troubled face!'
'I won't look! I absolutely won't look!'
Amidst the ministers' silent outcry, Sejong, sensing a strange atmosphere, looked around.
"Hm?"
Confirming the suddenly unsettled atmosphere, Sejong found the cause. Following the ministers' gaze and turning his head, Sejong saw Hyang and murmured quietly.
"Is it you again?"
Sejong murmured something briefly to himself, then raised his voice to call Hyang.
"What concern does the Crown Prince have that your expression is thus? Do you think there is some problem with installing beacon towers?"
At Sejong's question, Hyang immediately shook his head.
"No, Your Majesty. Beacons have no rival in swiftness, so how could I have any complaint? I simply have some questions..."
"Questions? What are you curious about?"
"Yes, as I understand it, the number of fires and smoke raised from beacon towers can convey the situation."
"That is correct."
At Hyang's words, Sejong and the ministers nodded. Depending on the number of beacons raised, they could know everything from normal times to whether combat had occurred.
"Then what are you curious about?"
At Sejong's question, the ministers fixed their gazes on Hyang. Even by their own thinking, the Prime Minister's proposal was very reasonable.
At Sejong's question, Hyang walked to the map and continued speaking.
"As Chief State Councillor proposed, installing beacon towers in lines extending east, west, south, and north across our Joseon's territory would allow us to quickly learn of situations. I understood this far. However, what I am curious about is... in that case, how do we know the location where the incident occurred?"
"Hm?"
"Huh?"
"Ah!"
At Hyang's words, Sejong and the ministers simultaneously wore expressions of being struck.
"Of course, being able to quickly know when enemies invade from any direction—east, west, south, or north—is a great advantage. However, until messenger horses or messengers bring more detailed information, we can only prepare vague countermeasures. Of course, this is better than doing nothing at all, but it falls short of preparing while knowing the details."
"That is true."
"That is correct."
Sejong and the ministers, who had been nodding at Hyang's words, looked at Hyang once more.
'Though he is my son, how is his thinking so deep?'
'Such insight at such a young age! I feel it every time, but it is remarkable!'
Whether aware or not of the eyes looking at him with mixed admiration, Hyang continued pointing out the insufficient aspects he had thought of.
"As Chief State Councillor first mentioned, war is not the only matter requiring urgent notification. Epidemics require reporting and response as swift as war."
"Then what is the countermeasure?"
At Sejong's question, Hyang wore a troubled expression.
"Though I am embarrassed to say so, I do not yet know. I have only just mentioned what came to mind..."
"Is that so?"
"Yes."
Hearing Hyang's answer, Sejong looked back at the ministers.
"As I see it, there is nothing wrong with the Crown Prince's point. I ask that you ministers deliberate on what would be a good answer to this."
"We receive your command."
"Crown Prince, you should also deliberate on this."
At Sejong's command, Hyang also bowed his head.
"I receive your command."
* * *
Having returned to the Crown Prince's quarters, Hyang removed his Iseon-gwan hat and scratched his head.
"This mouth of mine is the problem... Creating work, truly creating work."
At the same time, the ministers gathered at the State Council building discussed Hyang.
"Usually I just thought he was unusual, but occasionally experiencing events like today, there are times when the Crown Prince is frightening."
"I agree. Such discernment at that age..."
"When the Crown Prince ascends to the throne, I wonder what will happen..."
While the ministers and high officials were discussing variously, Kim Jeom tossed out a single remark.
"I do not know if I will be alive when the Crown Prince inherits the throne, but I know one thing for certain. He has inherited the blood of the current Majesty, and has observed well how His Majesty conducts himself, so the officials will not have an easy time."
"Good heavens..."
At Kim Jeom's words, the ministers clicked their tongues briefly. However, the young officials who had followed the ministers to the State Council building turned pale.