Black Corporation: Joseon

Episode 418 Cargo Culture

The Eulsik freight car was liked by the military and King Sejong, who valued firepower, but it became a bitter enemy to the Ministry of Finance and Economy.

“Of course, I admit that it will definitely be of great help to national defense…”

“The problem is the damn production cost.”

“No, the freight car itself is fine. “The problem is the bullets.”

“Ah… that bullet… haha~.”

Ministry of Finance and Economy officials sigh when only ‘eating-style trains’ comes up as a topic.

The reason Ministry of Finance and Economy officials were sighing like this was not just a problem with the food truck itself.

‘In the future, military weapons will become more and more precise. Then it will become more expensive, which means it will be a pain in the ass for us.’

The faces of Ministry of Finance and Economy officials were filled with sorrow when they learned what the Eulsikhwacha and the bullets used in it meant.

* * *

The bullet that made the Ministry of Finance and Economy officials sigh was the bullet used in the next-generation rifle, which King Sejong named the Eulsik Long Rifle, once again modified.

The bullet used in the Eul-style rifle was an integrated bullet made by attaching a copper bottom plate with a detonator and a paper shell.

Since this performed better than expected – Hyang expected it to some extent – Hyang modified the bullets of the horse gun into an integrated type and modified the medicine cylinder. And as this new type of horseback gun was distributed again, the Jurchen people suffered even more severely.

The bullets used in the Eulsikhwacha were made of a single copper structure rather than a composite structure of copper and paper.

Therefore, seeing the shell casings falling like a shower as much as the bullets raining down, the officials of the Ministry of Finance and Economy, including Kim Jeom, became alarmed.

“Copper casings! “That expensive copper!”

“No matter how much a copper mine was discovered!”

* * *

Copper was as important as iron, and even more important than iron, in Joseon’s industry during this period.

From tableware and accessories such as spoons and bowls to steam engine gaskets, piston rings, and sealing packing for small-head water pumps, there was almost no place where copper was not used.

Thanks to this, Joseon made all-out efforts to acquire copper. The search for a stable import vessel was fundamental, and prospecting work continued not only on the Korean Peninsula but also in places newly entered into Joseon’s territory.

After such desperate efforts, a copper mine was discovered on Daeseoldo Island, but it was not a mine with a rich mineral vein.

Therefore, Joseon’s prospecting work had no choice but to continue.

* * *

In such a situation, the appearance of shell casings made entirely of copper was something that made Ministry of Finance and Economy officials excited.

“Is that something that will end after one or two shots?”

“He fired hundreds of rounds even during the demonstration! That thing is being carried on a ship, let alone a fortress? Nonsense!”

“If a war breaks out… one door at a time…”

“Don’t do it! “Don’t calculate and don’t talk!”

Since it was an item that was sure to be consumed in huge quantities if an actual battle were to take place, the Ministry of Finance and Economy formally requested that other items be used instead of copper shell casings.

“…The Ministry of Finance and Economy keeps saying, why not use the same ammunition as the Eulsik rifle?”

Hyang responded to Sejong’s words with a sigh.

“Ha~. It’s not that I didn’t think about that part, either. But…”

Hyang explained why that was impossible.

-The biggest reason is that paper casings are weaker than copper casings. Since the Eulsik rifle is loaded by hand and fires single shots, it can be used even with paper cartridges.

However, Eulsik freight cars are loaded and discharged using mechanical power. This means that more force than manpower is required, and if done incorrectly, the paper casing may be torn during the loading and ejecting process.

If this happens, the Eulsikhwacha becomes useless. Of course, various emergency measures are installed in Eulsikhwacha. However, if paper casings are used, smooth operation is almost impossible.

-Second, it is advantageous for long-term storage.

The paper cartridges of the paper cartridges and integrated bullets used in conventional rifles are vulnerable to moisture. Of course, oil-soaked paper can be used even in rainy weather, but long-term storage is difficult.

This is fatal to the navy. These are the naval front lines that spend most of their time at sea. Therefore, looking at the current situation of the naval forces, only the minimum amount of paper medicine cannon is used to prepare for an unexpected situation, and the rest is stored separately.

“…For this reason, we have no choice but to use copper bullet casings.”

Sejong, who had been thinking about various things about Hyang’s answer, opened his mouth.

“If it’s made of iron… oh, if it’s iron, it’ll break.”

“That’s right.”

In response to Sejong’s question, Hyang nodded and muttered.

‘Was the country that used iron casings Germany during World War II or the Soviet Union during the Cold War?’

In the end, King Sejong, who could not find a good answer no matter how much he tried, had no choice but to ask for an alternative.

“But the Ministry of Finance and Economy’s opposition also makes sense. “Isn’t this the guy who will fire 1 to 2,000 rounds, not just 1 to 200 rounds?”

“So I thought of my own plan.”

The solution proposed by the fragrance was ‘shell bullet catcher’.

At the bottom of the carriage on which the food wagon was mounted was an object similar to a large cauldron.

The shells discharged through the shell discharge port fell down and were contained in the shell receiver.

In the end, the Ministry of Finance and Economy and the military had to satisfy this arbitration plan.

* * *

As a side note, the Joseon military’s ‘obsession with shell casings’ that began during this period continued.

Unless there was an unavoidable situation, the Joseon military desperately recovered shell casings.

Of course, as soldiers from other countries say, they were not at the level of ‘those who would pick up shell casings even on the battlefield’, but in training situations, recovering close to 100% shell casings was basic.

Thanks to this, Korea was the first country to develop exhaust-type and cartridge-less rifles and attempt to put them into combat.

* * *

Another story about Eulsik Hwacha is that the word ‘Hwacha’ became a symbol.

‘Support weapons that fire continuously through the power of mechanical devices’ were given the name ‘hwacha’ regardless of their size.

In history before the intervention of the township, firearms called light machine guns were given the name ‘light machine guns’, and large-caliber autocannons were called ‘heavy machine guns.’

This did not just apply to Northeast Asian countries.

Even in the West, the names ‘Hwacha’ and ‘Hoaza’ have become familiar to people. Regardless of whether in the East or the West, the image of ‘support firearms firing in rapid succession = freight cars’ was imprinted on them.

Of course, it was officially written as ‘Machine Gun’ or ‘Maschinengewehr’, but the word ‘wagon’ was becoming more familiar to ordinary soldiers and people.

Of course, the scent was the cause of this situation.

“I’m familiar with machine guns, but I feel a little uncomfortable…”

It’s a word that’s familiar to Koreans in the 21st century, but if you look at the etymology, Hyang, who knows well that most of the things were made by Japanese hands, is close to being convinced that the name machine gun is like that, too. I was having doubts. That’s why the scent consciously pushed for the name ‘Hwacha’.

“If the need arises, someone will step in and change it in the future…”

As always, it was a fragrance that maintained the attitude of ‘Is it my business?’

* * *

Even after the uproar over the food truck issue, things that gave the Ministry of Finance and Economy a headache continued.

One afternoon that was busy but quite peaceful.

A subordinate presented a report to Kim, who was struggling with the approval documents.

“It’s from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Development.”

“Why there?”

“I heard you are asking for review before submitting it to the Cabinet meeting?”

“Hmm…”

Kim Jeom tilted his head and opened the report and shouted after seeing the contents.

“Have you seen these thieves!”

To summarize what was written in the report, it was as follows.

‘The railway that has been laid to its fullest is being stolen.’

* * *

The agenda that overturned the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Development and the Ministry of Finance and Economy was brought to the Cabinet meeting the next day.

“Does the fact that the railroad tracks are being stolen mean that the track on which the iron horses and passenger cars run has been stolen?”

Kim Jeom stepped forward and answered King Sejong’s question.

“That’s right.”

“The reason is?”

“This is because the iron used in orbit is of very high quality.”

“Huh…”

King Sejong sighed with an expression of bewilderment at Kim Jeom’s answer.

According to Kim Jeom’s subsequent report, the reason what happened was because of the track laid on the railroad.

The tracks from steel mills throughout Joseon were made of wrought iron, but their quality was very good.

Of course, the production of steel was not small, but priority was given to making iron horses, steam engines, other objects, and military weapons.

And although it was literally soft iron, it was a very strong metal compared to other metals, so it was suitable for use in railways.

And it was Hyang who advocated making tracks out of wrought iron.

“I told you before, the famous Eiffel Tower is also made of wrought iron!”

It was a wrought iron track laid for this reason. However, because the quality was excellent, there were people who paid attention to it and those who put it into practice.

“Huh…”

King Sejong sighed for a long time again and looked back at the ministers.

“How much was stolen?”

“At least 20%…”

In response to the Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Development’s answer, Sejong could not control his anger and hit the armrest.

“Even though 20% of the money was lost, the report has now been posted! “Isn’t this the negligence of the gentlemen!”

The Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Development immediately responded to Sejong’s anger.

“The situation was suspicious and it took some time to conduct an internal inspection!”

The Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Development immediately explained the reasons in detail.

When reports of stolen tracks surfaced, officials in the area immediately contacted nearby military bases and the Pocheong Office to begin investigating the incident.

Separately, a new track was supplied to the site where the incident occurred. This was because completion should not have been delayed.

However, during this process, some people raised their eyebrows. They came forward, took it back, and reported that it had been stolen.

“As a result of the investigation, there is a list of those who actually committed theft and those who were arrested while extorting money.”

King Sejong, who was looking at the list posted by the Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Development, ordered in a voice full of anger.

“The thieves who committed theft must be severely punished according to the law, as they have stolen the country’s property! The same goes for those who embezzled! “Apply all applicable laws and execute the highest punishment!”

“I follow your orders!”

Although one agenda item was passed, the problem did not end easily.

“The theft committed by our Joseon people can be tolerated, but the problem is the Jurchen tribe.”

“Jurchens?”

When the Jurchen tribe appeared out of nowhere, King Sejong was momentarily thrown into confusion. The Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Development immediately gave further explanation.

“Almost 70% of the stolen tracks occurred in the North.”

Sejong nodded to the Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Development’s explanation.

“If it’s the Jurchens in the north, are they Jurchens who haven’t become noble yet?”

“That’s right.”

Sejong nodded in response to the Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Development’s answer.

“Right. The Jurchen people would roll their eyes. Hmm….”

When Sejong showed an understanding expression, the Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Development opened his mouth again.

“Since their crimes continue, I think it would be a good idea to carry out a large-scale suppression.”

“It’s impossible.”

Sejong shook his head at the suggestion of a large-scale subjugation.

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