The Empire I Create Chapter 13

Chapter 13. Seeds of a New Order

“In six months from now, the radishes, potatoes, and corn we planted will be ready for their first harvest.”
Hamin said this as he stepped off the truck and surveyed the fields where the crops were growing. The 21st-century varieties had already adapted, flourishing in a shortened cultivation cycle. The key point was that these modern seeds grew much faster and produced a higher yield compared to traditional farming methods of the past.

Their first crops were radishes, potatoes, and corn. Six months later, they planned to harvest in large quantities—some would be eaten immediately, but the rest would be distributed across Jeju for further cultivation.

“By next year, everyone in Tamna will have far less reason to go hungry,” Hamin imagined, already picturing a future where Tamna overflowed with grain. More grain meant more animal feed, which would greatly expand the raising of horses, cattle, pigs, and chickens. As people’s food supply increased and more products reached the market, the overall standard of living across Tamna would surely take a dramatic leap.

It wasn’t just food that needed stable supply; metals and other resources were critical as well. Hamin had already formed a plan to use drills and modern equipment to locate potential mining sites all across Jeju.

“This is still the Goryeo era, which does use iron, but their production capacity is nowhere near enough. According to historical records, Jeju had iron, iron sand, and sulfur to some extent—so we should at least start by developing those.”

Relying on artifacts, local legends, and other records passed down over the years, Thanos (one of Hamin’s allies) created a map showing where mining might be possible. Iron was the most urgent resource because weapons, tools, and construction—in fact, nearly all industries—depended on iron in this era. Securing the technology for mass production was critical.

“What if we just traded for iron instead of trying to mine it ourselves?” Hamin murmured. Thanos replied at once,
“Based on the data, at this point in time, iron is produced in Japan’s Kyushu region using something known as the ‘Tatara steelmaking’ method. But if we want to trade, what do we have to offer in exchange?”

Hamin asked, “Right now, in Tamna, what could we possibly trade with Japan?”

“I recommend using tangerines to make sugar-based products,” Thanos said. “Right now, Japan values sugar to heighten flavor, and anything containing it is treated almost like a treasure. We can’t grow sugarcane in Tamna, but we can obtain small amounts of sugar from the mainland through trade. Then, by combining that sugar with tangerines to make modern-style sweets—like cookies, bread, jam, or juice—we could sell them at a high premium in Japan.”

“So, specialty goods made with sugar in exchange for Japanese iron,” Hamin concluded. “That kind of bartering system would let us secure large quantities of iron without clashing directly with the mainland.”

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After toppling Tamna’s central government office, Hamin spent two days farming with the help of Optimus units—without discussing details with Yi Jigwang, the Tamna inspector (Anchalsa). Over the course of a week, Hamin polished his plan down to two main points: first, ensure that Tamna’s residents would be well-fed, and second, produce or acquire the iron needed to advance Tamna.

Once his two days of deliberation were over, Hamin summoned Yi Jigwang and gave him orders.

“For now, let’s keep supplying the mainland with the usual tribute amounts. If there’s any surplus in storage, send that first so we don’t raise suspicion. Also, gather as many officials, able-bodied men, and even women as you can muster.”

Yi Jigwang wanted to ask Hamin and Hyungjun why, but he decided to obey for the moment.

Having ordered Yi Jigwang to gather people, Hamin worried about having enough food to distribute as payment for their labor—until an idea struck him.

“The quickest way to feed everyone in the Tamna region is fish,” he said. Thanos’s analysis showed that the coastal waters around Tamna were rich in marine life. By deploying drones to locate schools of fish, they could drastically boost their catch.

“While we have to wait months for crops to be harvested, ‘the sea gives us food immediately.’”

Recalling the saying “Generosity comes from a full granary,” Hamin instantly realized that increasing the catch at sea would quickly help him gain the people’s trust.

Just then, Thanos proposed, “Master, if you assign each of the twelve Optimus units to a specific area of expertise and give them managerial authority, our overall efficiency will skyrocket.”

Hamin nodded. He decided to give the Optimus units names drawn from Greek mythology:

• Optimus 1 – Hyungjun: Hamin’s secretary and bodyguard (already established)
• Optimus 2 – Miji: Oversees crop harvesting and livestock expansion
• Optimus 3 – Kra (Kratos): Develops industrial power sources (water/ wind power, machinery)
• Optimus 4 – Deme (Demeter): Expands fishing resources (drone-based ocean scouting, boat assignments)
• Optimus 5 – Hade (Hades): Resource mining (iron, sulfur, and more)
• Optimus 6 – Meti (Metis): Oversees trade and trade goods (sugar processing, negotiations with Japan)
• Optimus 7 – Are (Ares): Weapon development (collaboration with blacksmiths for new firearms and tools)
• Optimus 8 – Pose (Poseidon): Shipbuilding (ship design and construction)
• Optimus 9 – Jeu (Zeus): Military training (rebuilding the Jeju garrison)
• Optimus 10 – As (Asclepios): Medical support (introducing modern medical techniques)
• Optimus 11 – Ate (Athena): Education (promoting Hangul and numeracy, training local administrators)
• Optimus 12 – Hepa (Hephaestus): Blacksmithing (smelting and processing technologies)

That morning, Hamin had asked Yi Jigwang to gather people; in the afternoon, he summoned him again to issue more instructions:

“I know Tamna’s administration has been somewhat stabilized, but I’d like to reorganize it into eleven sectors—farming and livestock, fishing, resource mining, trade, weapons development, shipbuilding, military training, medical care, education, blacksmithing, and technology development. Please recommend capable individuals suited to each field.”

“Yes, understood.”

Again, Yi Jigwang chose to obey. He already felt deep reverence after witnessing Hamin’s strange powers and advanced technology. He resolved to cooperate fully and began seeking talent from across Jeju Island.

The day after Yi Jigwang received these orders to select personnel, each Optimus began its assigned tasks. Meti (Optimus 6) was put in charge of researching and manufacturing sugar-based products like cookies, bread, and alcohol. Ate (Optimus 11) and Hepa (Optimus 12) used a 3D printer to create measuring tools, so local carpenters and blacksmiths could follow precise instructions.

Meanwhile, Deme (Optimus 4) conducted real-time drone patrols at sea to locate large concentrations of fish. Riding on the same ship as Yi Jigwang, Deme directed the other fishing boats to the right locations and signaled when to cast their nets. Thanks to this, each vessel brought in more than five times its usual catch with minimal effort, returning to port with holds full of fish.

Witnessing this almost magical fishing method firsthand, Yi Jigwang’s confidence in Hamin grew rapidly. He already saw the man who had smashed through Tamna’s central office walls—surrounded by what seemed like goblin-like creatures and mechanical birds that flew in the sky—as something akin to a deity.

Steering one of the fully loaded ships on the way back, Yi Jigwang asked Hyungjun to arrange a meeting with Hamin. Upon seeing Hamin, he exclaimed, “Today, I sailed ten boats out to fish with these goblins of yours, my Lord. Thanks to the ‘goblin’ (Optimus Deme) who showed us exactly where to cast our nets, we caught five times the normal haul. From now on, I will faithfully carry out the will of the Supreme Lord.”

Hamin looked startled. “Supreme Lord?”

“In Tamna, whenever we set sail, we pray to the ‘Lord of Heaven’ for safety and a bountiful catch. Today, I felt as though I met that very lord in person. May I call you by that name from now on?”

Although he thought the title was a bit much, Hamin replied, “If that’s how you prefer to address me, I won’t stop you.”

He felt embarrassed by such praise, but also recognized that a certain mystique might help secure his hold on Tamna.

From the next day on, Yi Jigwang mobilized every available fishing boat to head out to sea with Deme and the drones, returning by evening with every hold full of fish. News spread that if people worked on the tasks assigned by Tamna’s government office, they would receive fish as payment. Before long, people started flocking to the central office on their own.

Yi Jigwang distributed them to farming, fishing, food processing, mining, and shipbuilding, making sure half of all workers went to agriculture or fishing.

A few days later, seeing how diligently everyone was working, Hamin muttered under his breath, “If this keeps up, a real bumper harvest could be just a few months away.” Gazing out over the emerald fields beyond the farm, he imagined an odd turning point in history where the medieval and modern eras intertwined.

Still, there was an undercurrent of anxiety. Who knew when the mainland government or powerful aristocratic clans might invade Tamna with ulterior motives? The Mongols, that colossal storm sweeping across Asia and Europe, might eventually wash over Tamna, too. And whether or not trading with Japan for iron would go smoothly was anyone’s guess.

Even so, Hamin was confident. “It’s worth a try,” he thought. After all, he had the active cooperation of Yi Jigwang—the pinnacle of authority here in Tamna—and the enthusiastic support of countless island residents. That would have to be enough to move forward.