Innovation and Revolution (22)
Yi Yeon’s knowledge of electricity was limited to the content found in middle-school science textbooks. He had seen plenty of it on his way here from 21st-century Earth, but without a solid foundation of underlying technology, he hadn’t even mentioned it to Yi I. Yet somehow Yi I had built a generator and a motor, and now, using electromagnets, he had created a telegraph as well.
“How on earth did you do this?”
“I simply applied the principle of the transformer Your Majesty described, extending the distance and testing it out.”
“Oh… truly remarkable.”
Even if one could produce electricity with a generator, sending it far away was another matter entirely. Copper wire had low resistance, but resistance still existed; the electrical energy would convert into heat, and voltage would drop in proportion to the distance.
‘That’s why they say the world will be flipped upside down the moment superconducting wire is invented.’
Superconductors had zero resistance, so power could be transmitted losslessly anywhere on Earth. But even in Yi Yeon’s previous life, no one had succeeded in creating them. Therefore, steam engines and generators were being installed wherever electricity was needed.
Because of this limitation, Yi Yeon had explained the telegraph to Yi I with little hope of success. He couldn’t even send electricity far away, so how could the telegraph possibly be operated? Yet Yi I had overcome the problem using the transformer’s principle.
“One kilometer apart, I installed a transformer to boost the voltage. The signal sent from Deokpojin, fifteen kilometers away, can now be received.”
“Your Majesty is most kind.”
“It’s no kindness at all. Being able to send electricity anywhere—transmitting power over long distances—is a revolutionary achievement.”
“What?”
Yi I blinked in confusion at the royal praise, then clapped his hands and let out a delighted exclamation.
“Indeed, Your Majesty! If we can apply this method, we can send electricity from the generators all the way to distant places and light up homes and workshops.”
“Exactly. So gather up everything we’ve done so far, standardize the parts related to electricity, and begin mass production.”
“As you command, Your Majesty.”
Yi I smiled brightly, as though he had just understood something profound, and bowed with perfect courtesy.
Yi Hwang, watching from the side, stared blankly, as if Yi I had gone completely mad.
Next, Yi Yeon visited the Joseon Weapons Research Institute, headed by Kim Ji. Along the way, Yi Hwang couldn’t hold back his curiosity.
“Your Majesty, what exactly is electricity?”
“Have you seen the light bulbs installed in Gyeongbokgung?”
“Yes, Your Majesty. They are truly wondrous.”
“Those bulbs produce light because we send them electricity—an energy source.”
“Energy, you say? What on earth is that?”
“In the theory of ki Your Majesty advocates, it refers to that vital force.”
“Ah…!”
Yi Hwang nodded, as if he had grasped something.
“Your Majesty, if the bulb is a light, then electricity is ki?”
“Precisely. Electricity is one of the forces existing in this world. We can light the bulbs in Gyeongbokgung with it, and we can even create fertilizer that can be used like excrement.”
“So that’s why it’s revolutionary?”
“Indeed. Developing a steam engine was innovative; producing and distributing electricity is a revolution that can change this entire world.”
“Ah…!”
Yi Hwang stared at Yi I with envious eyes.
Once, when the theory of ki had been debated, the two had argued bitterly. Then, one day, Yi I vanished from politics. Yet his reputation only grew. People said he was studying and teaching science instead of Neo-Confucianism.
Now Yi Yeon finally understood. Yi I had taken the theory of ki that had once been nothing more than empty talk in words and brought it into reality.
“Your Majesty! This subject wishes to study science as well!”
“Is that so?”
“Yes, Your Majesty. This subject wishes to study science and help the world.”
Up until now, Yi Hwang had believed that studying and spreading only Neo-Confucian teachings would bring great benefit to the world. But he had realized that was wrong. The proverb “A picture is worth a thousand words” had finally sunk in: showing reality was far more convincing than mere words.
“…”
Yi Yeon hesitated. He had almost told Yi I to study, but he knew it might not be wise. Learning should not depend on age, yet they were rivals. If he forced it, resentment might arise.
“Very well. I shall provide you with the first volume of my book on science, ‘The Beginning of Science.’ Study it.”
“Your Majesty’s grace is boundless.”
Yi Hwang wanted to kneel and prostrate himself, but since they were moving, he simply bowed deeply in gratitude. Yi Yeon smiled warmly at the sight. He had always known Yi Hwang to be rigid, yet here he was, completely open to new ideas.
He didn’t know that this very moment would mark the turning point—when the formidable scholar of Neo-Confucianism would become the towering figure of science.
At the Weapons Research Institute, a welcoming party awaited. They were Kwon Jun, commander of the Second Marine Division; Jo Gyeong, commander of the Third Infantry Regiment; Yu Geuk-ryang, commander of the Fourth Infantry Regiment; Kim Yeomul, commander of the Third Cavalry Regiment; and Lee Gyeongrok, commander of the Fourth Cavalry Regiment.
These men had been building fortifications in the north, fearing attacks from the Ming army and the Jurchen tribes. But the king had summoned them here in haste.
“Long live the Emperor! We greet Your Majesty!”
“You made a long journey. Thank you for your efforts.”
“It is no trouble at all, Your Majesty. Riding the steam-powered panokson made the trip comfortable.”
Panokson ships were no longer rowed by men. With a displacement of only 150 tons, even one steam engine allowed rapid travel. All fifty of them had been retrofitted. If they reached the ports on the West Sea or South Sea, they could board at any time and reach any destination.
“Have you tested them?”
“Yes, Your Majesty!”
“How did they perform?”
“They can destroy any enemy in a single blow.”
“Even the darkest night presents no problem.”
“Give the order now and we shall sweep them all away.”
“We are deeply grateful for the weapons you have developed.”
Time was short, so Yi Yeon had left the actual testing to them. “Report directly to me.” They had seemed satisfied.
“Everyone knows what is happening in the Land of Yamato.”
“Yes, Your Majesty!”
“But I cannot trust their words. They are masters of cunning, betrayal, and treachery. That is why I summoned you.”
Yi Yeon wondered if Seonjo’s soul still lingered in the body. The daimyos’ behavior was suspicious. Claiming loyalty to Joseon meant surrender, yet they had been steered toward Yamato with endless excuses.
‘What are they really plotting?’
It seemed they intended to use him. In a world where the shogun seized power by capturing the emperor, these men would act.
Therefore, he had decided to mobilize the First Firepower Army and all developed weapons. If necessary, they would be wiped out completely.
“You will lead all your troops immediately to Hiroshima and build defensive positions. If anyone approaches, they may be killed without mercy.”
“Yes, Your Majesty!”
Yi Yeon had informed Mori Motonari at Shimonoseki that he would meet the daimyos there. But Mori had requested Hiroshima. It was the season of typhoons, and there were no ships as fast as Joseon’s panokson.
That was suspicious. The journey from Shikoku to Shimonoseki was long, yet with determination one could still reach it. Moreover, Hiroshima lay deep within a bay, like the tiger’s mouth. Countless islands inside the bay could hide large forces. The coast was littered with reefs; even the armored Heoxin and Hyeongmyeong could not navigate at night.
Yi Sun-sin had strongly opposed meeting there, saying the Firepower Army’s overwhelming power would still be annihilated in the dark if outnumbered. Yi Yeon agreed. In pitch-black night, even machine guns would be useless without visibility.
Therefore, he ordered Mori Motonari to investigate the movements of the shugo daimyos—especially the Tenno and Oda Nobunaga—and report immediately.
Mori’s reply was absurdly formal: “The Joseon army is feared, so they have hidden themselves.”
After the audience ended, Yi Hwang asked, “Your Majesty, you said you would civilize them. What exactly do you intend?”
“You already know. Human hearts change at any moment.”
“They intend to harm Your Majesty?”
“They might. That is why I have prepared for it. If necessary, I will sweep them all away.”
“Ah…!”
Yi Hwang saw it—the expression on the king’s face when he was truly angry. The king’s usual expression was mild, but when enraged it was terrifying, as though the world itself would end.
This king was furious now. Yi Yeon had no details, but he could guess. They had done something unforgivable. They would die.
Just as Yi Yeon thought, with innovative steam engines and electricity that was nothing short of a revolution, there was no reason to fear.
‘Wipe them out first. Management can wait until later.’
* * *
Oda Nobunaga, who had vowed to seize the entire archipelago, received news that his subordinate Ryuzoji Takakage, Otomo Sorin, and Shimazu Yoshihiro had all committed seppuku. All at once. It was like a bolt from the blue.
No one—not even himself—possessed such power. So he sent letters to the heroes of the Three Kingdoms of Kanto: Takeda Shingen, Uesugi Kenshin, and Hojo Ujiyasu, asking them to meet. “Otherwise we will be destroyed by Joseon.” The request was accepted. They, too, had heard the news of the daimyos of Kyushu being wiped out and felt the danger.
Hojo Ujiyasu shook his head when he heard Oda Nobunaga’s words. “If we unite, can we defeat the Joseon army?”
“It is… possible.”
“How?”
“By drawing in the king of Joseon.”
“What? What does that mean? Drawing in the king of Joseon?”
Oda Nobunaga swept his eyes over the gathered daimyos with his usual arrogant expression and spoke to his vassal. “Bring him!”
“Yes!”
The man who was brought was unexpectedly Mori Motonari and Chosokabe Motochika, the loser of Shikoku, who had both volunteered to become Joseon’s dogs. Once they were seated, Oda Nobunaga spoke.
“First, I will make an oath.”
“What oath?”
“I swear that I will not touch Kyushu, which belongs to the Mori clan, or Shikoku, which belongs to the Chosokabe clan.”
The daimyos of the Three Kingdoms of Kanto exchanged glances and nodded. The two regions were far from their own territories; they had no interest and thus no reason to object.
“Very well. What will you give us in return, and what oath will you make?”
“If I defeat Joseon and ascend as shogun, I swear that I will never touch the territories you now hold.”
Hojo Ujiyasu nodded; he preferred defense over offense and avoided conflict. But Takeda Shingen and Uesugi Kenshin flared up, as though they had been tricked.
“That is not enough.”
“You must give us a share of the Iwami silver mine.”
“If the Mori clan moves to Kyushu, the Chugoku region where the Iwami silver mine is located will belong to you.”
“That is why it is only fair to share the Iwami silver mine with us.”
Oda Nobunaga laughed loudly, as though he had known this would happen.
“Very well. Then let us first discuss how to draw in the king of Joseon.”
* * *