Black Corporation: Joseon

Episode 432: What was expected, what was unexpected. (9)

“Now… then what should we do to deal with the Portuguese and Spaniards who are gradually coming towards us?”

In response to King Sejong’s question, the gaze of the ministers all focused on Hyang.

“Why do you look at me like that?”

Hwang Hee was the first to open her mouth when asked about Hyang.

“Among those here, the first one to tell us about the dangers of these people is the Crown Prince. So, of course you’re not ready, are you?”

King Sejong and the ministers nodded at the same time at Hwang Hee’s words. In particular, Jo Mal-saeng looked at the scent with eyes full of anticipation.

“Do you have any new artillery or long guns prepared?”

In response to Jo Mal-saeng’s question, Hyang made a puzzled expression.

“It hasn’t been long since the new long rifle was adopted?”

“Hasn’t it already been a year?”

“Hasn’t the report been uploaded? “It was only last month that we moved away from low-rate production and started mass production.”

A breech load rifle using the trapdoor method was adopted last year. And the craftsmen who had become accustomed to making new long guns through the low-rate production that had been going on for a while were just picking up the pace.

However, Jo Mal-saeng still received the words with eyes full of expectation.

“I know that, but I was wondering if there was anything new you were researching.”

Hyang shook his head at Jo Mal-saeng’s words.

“It exists, but it is impossible now. If we adopt what we are currently researching right away, all production facilities, starting with the bullet production facility, will have to be replaced and artisans will have to learn from scratch. In that case, there is a high possibility that the budget will not only be overused, but if done incorrectly, will be lost.”

“Ah…”

Hearing Hyang’s words, King Sejong and the ministers let out a sigh full of regret.

If Hyang, who spends his budget like water, said that it was impossible because of the budget, he was saying that it was truly impossible.

“It is possible to defend our country with only the newly deployed Eul-style long guns and Eul-style freight cars, as well as the existing Gap-type long guns and artillery. Because you have to cross the sea. “As long as we choose to return to Africa by ship, we will never be able to send a large army.”

‘How did Portugal and Spain fare in the 15th century? ‘That was only possible in the United States during World War II!’

The ministers nodded at Hyang’s explanation.

“Hmm….”

“I see.”

“There was an obstacle called the sea…”

Unlike the ministers who nodded at Hyang’s explanation, King Sejong, who was thinking deeply, opened his mouth.

“Please let the officers and jurists stop recording for a moment. “What I say from now on must not be recorded.”

“Haona….”

“Use….”

The officers and scholars who were trying to argue that it was impossible immediately put down their hands as soon as the pronunciation of double-faced clothing came out of King Sejong’s mouth.

Sejong, who saw that the magistrates and masters had put down their hands, asked Hyang.

“I think you are right about the people who have to cross the long sea route. So what will we do if people from the west and south of Joseon come flocking to us?”

Just in case, the words ‘west’ and ‘south’ were substituted, but King Sejong was referring to the Ming and Japanese under the assumption that they were enemies.

Hearing King Sejong’s words, the officers and judges heaved a sigh of relief.

‘I’m glad I listened!’

In response to King Sejong’s question, Hyang first looked at the ministers. Surprisingly, the ministers showed expressions full of curiosity rather than surprise or concern.

‘Even if it’s true for Japan, the Ming Dynasty also lost a lot of people’s favor… Well, if you think about the events so far…’

* * *

From the early Joseon Dynasty, the Ming took a lot of things from Joseon. There were simple tributes, but there was also a significant amount of strategically stolen goods, such as horses, to weaken Joseon’s military power.

This practice disappeared after Emperor Seondeok ascended to the throne and Hyang became rampant.

The ministers who had experienced such exploitation and military checks had no aversion to recognizing the Ming as a potential enemy.

* * *

Only after checking the reactions of the ministers was Hyang able to answer King Sejong’s question.

“In the case of the south, there is a naval force, so it is not a big burden. So the West is what Abamama cares about, right?”

“It is true. “I can say that we are close now, but there is a possibility that things may change at any time.”

Hyang immediately responded to Sejong’s affirmation.

“There is only one answer. If there are signs that the west is turning into an enemy, we have no choice but to make a lot of Japanese-type long rifles and Japanese-style freight cars, as well as heavy-hitting thunderbolts and throwing bombs, and scatter them. Of course, we will do our best to avoid direct confrontation and rely on Joseon’s military strength.”

“I guess so…”

Sejong nodded and Jo Mal-saeng answered.

“If that happens, the role of reserves and projectiles will become important. “I need to train harder for this.”

* * *

According to the military system in the early Joseon Dynasty, the size of the Joseon army was always maintained at 300,000.

However, this number of 300,000 was never properly observed until King Sejong proceeded with the royal palace.

There were various reasons, but the biggest reason was that Joseon was not capable of maintaining its troops.

Therefore, during the Tsushima expedition that took place in the first year of King Sejong’s reign, there was a shortage of troops, so a large-scale conscription took place in Hasam Island (Chungcheong, Jeolla, and Gyeongsang).

Because of this situation, the military system was drastically reorganized as the military regime progressed.

First, the government-sponsored system was abolished and salaries were paid directly by the government. At the same time, the number of soldiers forcibly conscripted was reduced. The size of the military was reduced to a level where there was no immediate risk to national defense.

In the early days of the light field, due to budgetary issues, it was filled with professional soldiers centered on cavalry and artillerymen, who could be said to be the true main force. Afterwards, as Joseon’s capabilities were strengthened, the size of its troops increased again, and not only the land army but also the navy was able to increase in size.

However, this did not mean that Joseon gave up on the ‘300,000 army’, and this is where the subtleties of incense shined through.

A ‘reserve army’ was created.

As the family register was properly completed, all men of age eligible for military service were classified into classes and became eligible for military service.

Among those eligible for military service, men excluding those who became soldiers were designated as reserve forces.

The reserve forces composed in this way were assembled in several villages during the winter and received military training for 15 days.

During the 15-day training period, reservists practiced routine movements and were taught marksmanship and how to use throwing grenades.

And on the eleventh day and the next day, live shooting took place. Over the course of two days, 20 rounds were actually fired and 4 projectiles were thrown.

And on the thirteenth day, they divided into groups and engaged in a stone-throwing battle. The reservists, wearing proper helmets and plate armor (although it was made of wrought iron rather than steel), became accustomed to small-unit tactics by raising shields to block and throwing stones at their opponents at the command of their commanders.

If a war broke out and reserve forces had to be mobilized, the plan made by the township and the Ministry of National Defense was that reserve forces trained in this way would be called up to meet the enemy.

And the true main weapon of the reserve forces organized in this way was throwing bombs.

In the Beomgwol Incident that took place in the year of Giyu, the thrown bombs truly showed off their power. Impressed by its power, the military made throwing bombs in large quantities – truly large quantities. Of course, it was only a shell without gunpowder for safe storage, but if something happened, the empty shells would be filled with gunpowder and then sprinkled on the reserve forces.

As a side note, there was a small problem caused by gunpowder.

Each person was given only 20 rounds of live ammunition and 4 thrown rounds, but the total amount was enormous.

Therefore, at the time, there was tremendous opposition from the wealthy community, starting with Kimjeom. In the end, only people living in the northern border area could receive live ammunition training, and other regions had to replace all that time with stone warfare.

Of course, the people were excited as they freely engaged in stone fighting, which had been prohibited by law until then.

In the end, it was only after a large amount of saltpeter was brought in from Cheonchuk that reserve forces throughout Joseon began receiving proper live ammunition training.

And Hojo’s whining came to an end as a significant amount of the saltpeter brought in this way was used for fertilizer production.

* * *

After answering Sejong’s question, Hyang came to a conclusion.

“I think developing a new weapon right now is excessive. Rather, what we need right now is to train large numbers of artisans who work in steel mills and iron horse production plants.”

Sejong immediately expressed doubts about Hyang’s words.

“The craftsmen who work in the steel mills and the craftsmen who build iron horses? “Aren’t they craftsmen who make weapons?”

“That’s right. The reason is…”

Hyang explained the reason in a calm voice.

-Currently, the Challenger-class front and Sea Emergency front are so powerful that no rivals can be found nearby. However, as time passes, a front line with stronger firepower and defense will be needed.

-The optimal material for making these wires is iron. An iron ship with a keel made of high-quality steel and thick iron plates attached to the ribs will become a fortress on the sea.

-What is important here is the quality of the steel used, but the size of the steel plate is also an issue. You can make a proper iron wire only by making and attaching large iron plates the size of a house.

-To make such large iron plates, the facilities of the steel mill are important, but the level of the craftsmen who produce the iron is also important.

-The same goes for the importance of craftsmen who produce iron horses. To attach steel plates to the keel and ribs of the wire, crown work is the best.

– Those who are accustomed to making large objects through head work are craftsmen who make iron horses.

-The problem is that manufacturing electric wires is impossible with just one or two craftsmen. Therefore, a large number of artisans must be trained through the Iron Horse Factory.

“… Lastly, I would like to add that if high-quality and large-sized iron plates are made, it becomes easier to make an iron horse with better performance. “Not only can the size of the heating tank that boils water be increased, but the joints where water can leak are also reduced.”

After hearing the explanation of the fragrance, Sejong nodded his head as if he finally understood.

“It’s a relationship where we bite each other.”

“That’s right.”

Sejong looked back at his ministers.

“The crown prince’s plan seems reasonable, so please consider it accordingly and report back.”

“I follow your orders!”

Leaving behind the ministers’ answers, King Sejong complained to Hyang.

“Defense is becoming more and more complicated.”

“When a war breaks out, both the monarch and the people fight with all their heart, which has not changed since then, but artillery and gunpowder are truly monsters that require the nation’s all-out effort.”

Sejong responded to Hyang’s words with a bitter face.

“It’s true that it’s a monster. “But if we don’t have it, the country will be in danger right away, so that’s the problem.”

* * *

That evening, after leaving the East Palace, Hyang headed to Hassan’s house.

“Welcome your Majesty!”

Hassan, who heard of Hyang’s visit, hurriedly ran outside to greet Hyang.

“I’m sorry for the late night.”

“No!”

“Is Mansour inside?”

“yes.”

“I want to meet him.”

“Come in! “I will call you right away!”

When the incense stick was placed at the head table in the sarang room, Mansur, who had been called by Hassan, came in and paid homage to the incense stick.

“It’s just that I came because there was something I didn’t ask about earlier.”

“Please ask.”

“What does Cosimo de’ Medici really want? The map he sent is not at a level that can be obtained through a simple relationship. This is a map that cannot be obtained unless a significant investment is made in the country that created the map. But after investing so much, do you hope that the current situation will be maintained? The front and back do not match. “What does he really want?”

Mansour thought deeply about the question and opened his mouth.

“It seems to me that Cosimo de’ Medici is concerned about Portugal’s betrayal. “There is a high possibility that Portugal will monopolize the benefits that can be gained through the sea route to Joseon.”

“So, we will build a relationship with our line in advance and then show it off?”

“That is very likely. And there is a widespread rumor among the merchants of Alexandria that the aqueduct will be sold.”

“channel?”

‘Is it the Suez Canal?’

Hyang, who was pondering Mansour’s answer, opened his mouth.

“The merchants of Alexandria will hate it.”

“That’s right.”

* * *

After leaving Hassan’s house, Hyang muttered softly.

“It’s a waterway…” Hyang,

who was mulling over various things on his way back to the East Palace, made a strange expression.

“How about a railroad instead of a waterway? And if we send Jinpyeong there…”

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