Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 58

Jjangra

Hello, Bomb

58. New Weapons (6)

After getting a grasp on individual weaponry, Hyang immediately started working on support firearms.

Facing a blank sheet of paper, Hyang crossed his arms and muttered,

“Considering the level of the artisans, I could be greedy, but other things aren’t keeping up… the things I can try are really limited.”

Hyang opened the book he had placed beside him and examined the list.

“Singijeon [rocket arrow launchers] and Hwacha [multiple rocket launchers]… these also need development, but something more definitive is needed to instill fear in the enemy.”

Hyang tapped the Singijeon and Hwacha entries with his finger, lost in thought.

When it came to Mun-jong, the most famous were Singijeon and Hwacha. Moreover, the actual combat results of Singijeon and Hwacha were not to be ignored. However, Hyang felt something was lacking.

“I have to show visible results before the year is out. Because of the budget, the ministers won’t stay still.”

After contemplating what would be best as a support firearm, Hyang finally came to a conclusion.

“In the end, this is the only answer. Bigyeokjincheonleoi [thunder-crash bomb]. Turtle ships for the sea, Bigyeokjincheonleoi for the land. It’s a cliché, but…”

Hyang straightened his back.

“It’s the best in terms of impact!”

After deciding on the Bigyeokjincheonleoi, Hyang fell into another 고민 [worry].

“If I actually make it, will it be Mk.1 or Mk.2…? Or maybe Mk.2-1?”

Hyang’s ‘Mk.1,’ ‘Mk.2,’ and ‘Mk.2-1’ were arbitrary classifications based on ‘how the Bigyeokjincheonleoi would explode.’

* * *

Mk.1, Mk.2, and Mk.2-1 were things that had troubled Hyang for a while even in the 21st century.

Mk.1 was what we generally saw in dramas, where the gunpowder inside explodes, scattering the contained iron shards (菱鐵, diamond-shaped iron pieces) and fragments from the broken cast iron shell, killing the enemy.

Mk.2 involved igniting the gunpowder inside, causing flames and iron shards to be ejected through the hole where the gunpowder was loaded. Due to the position of the hole, the 진천뢰 [thunder-crash bomb] would rotate, spraying flames and iron shards in all directions, inflicting casualties on the enemy.

The reason Mk.2 came about was that the burning rate of the black powder used by Joseon was slow. It was difficult to instantaneously combust at a high speed, exceeding the critical explosion pressure and breaking the projectile, scattering fragments, iron shards, and flames in all directions. Instead, the hole where the gunpowder was loaded and blocked with a 격목 (blocking wood) would be blown open, and flames and iron shards would be ejected through that hole. When Hyang first heard this argument, he tilted his head.

“Why? The Bigyeokjincheonleoi has two holes, right? One for inserting the time fuse, and one for loading the gunpowder and 질려 (saltpeter). But why only one direction?”

Unable to find a clear solution to the question, Hyang simply remembered it as interesting and forgot about it.

Later, the actual Bigyeokjincheonleoi was excavated, and news of an exhibition came. Hyang, who had just quit his job as a public official and was preparing a smithy, remembered the past and immediately visited the exhibition.

At the exhibition, Hyang circled around the glass case protecting the excavated Bigyeokjincheonleoi, examining it closely. After studying the Bigyeokjincheonleoi for a long time, Hyang stepped back.

“I solved one problem, but another one arises?”

The problem Hyang solved was the ‘개철 (蓋鐵, lid iron)’ issue. According to records, after installing the time fuse 목곡 (木곡, wooden piece), it was covered with a lid iron.

‘I don’t see any special locking device, so how was it fixed?’

Hyang’s question was answered by seeing the real thing. The lid part of the actual Bigyeokjincheonleoi was carved in a square shape, with a round hole in the center for inserting the 목곡. And the answer was in that square-carved part.

The carved part looked square but was rectangular. And there was a thick groove carved along the wall. So, after covering it with the lid iron, turning it 90 degrees would lock the lid iron into the groove, fixing it in place. He solved one problem, but another problem arose. The hole for inserting gunpowder and iron shards was smaller than expected.

The triangular iron shards shown in various restoration diagrams were quite large. In the CG shown at the exhibition, they were solving the problem by inserting the iron shards before inserting the 목곡, and only inserting gunpowder through the hole on the side.

‘If you do that, the fragments won’t be scattered evenly, right? That’s….’

To solve that question, Hyang diligently searched the internet. And a video he saw online added to the questions.

The emergence of Mk.2-1. The video was from the early 2000s, broadcast by a TV station.

A professor from a naval research institute appeared, and they put triangular iron shards and gunpowder into the 목곡 insertion hole, inserted the 목곡, and then covered it with 개철. And after covering the 개철, they inserted a lead plate into the gap between the body of the Bigyeokjincheonleoi and the 개철, hammering it firmly to fix the lid.

In the subsequent firepower test, the Bigyeokjincheonleoi spewed fragments from the 개철 part and was empty. The body of the empty Bigyeokjincheonleoi was almost intact.

In the end, still unable to resolve the questions, Hyang decided to solve it himself, and the result was the training field behind the smithy that made his cousin grab him by the collar.

Recalling the eventful memories of the 21st century, Hyang shook his head vigorously, 고민 [worrying] whether it should be Mk.1, Mk.2, or Mk.2-1, and grabbed the gold pen.

“Why should I 고민 [worry] about that? Since I’ve decided to make it! I’m going to Mk.21! The 21st-century version!”

Hyang’s choice was to maximize productivity and lethality.

* * *

Watching the ministers debate about the etymology, Choi Hae-san opened his mouth.

“This Bigyeokjincheonleoi is something that the Crown Prince personally planned and designed.”

At Choi Hae-san’s explanation, Sejong and the ministers’ gazes focused on Hyang. As the attention focused on him, Hyang confidently said.

“Your Majesty will definitely not be disappointed.”

At Hyang’s words, Sejong received the words with a proud expression.

“You have never disappointed this father so far. General, proceed.”

“Yes, Your Majesty. First, if you look at the structure of the Bigyeokjincheonleoi, it is filled with gunpowder inside the 화탄 (fire bomb). When the 심지 (fuse) is lit, it explodes. It looks very simple on the outside, but there is a very mysterious trick hidden inside.”

“Mysterious trick?”

“The explosion time can be adjusted.”

Choi Hae-san explained how to use the Bigyeokjincheonleoi.

“Wrap the 심지 [fuse] around the 목곡 [wooden piece], put it in the 지통 (fuse holder), 심지 [insert] it into the Bigyeokjincheonleoi, and block the lid. Then, fill the hole in the side with gunpowder and block the hole. After that, put it in a 완구 (cannon) filled with gunpowder and 방포 (fire). Then it will fly 300보 (approximately 360m) to 500보 (approximately 600m) and explode.”

At Choi Hae-san’s explanation, Sejong opened his mouth.

“Is the time adjusted by wrapping the 심지 [fuse] around that 목곡 [wooden piece]?”

“That is correct.”

“What is the power?”

“I will show you from now on. Execute!”

At Choi Hae-san’s command, soldiers brought a large 대완구 (large cannon) and Bigyeokjincheonleoi into the demonstration area. The soldiers who stopped in front of Sejong put down everything they had brought and gave a military salute.

“Chung! [Loyalty!]”

The soldiers who gave the military salute moved the 대완구 [large cannon] and Bigyeokjincheonleoi to the center of the demonstration area. The mouth of the 대완구 [large cannon] was pointed at an empty space on Mount Mokmyeok about 100장 (approximately 330m) away. In the empty space, red and blue target boards and scarecrows wearing 쇄자갑 (chain armor), 피자갑 (paper armor), and 피찰갑 (leather armor) were densely erected.

The soldiers who installed the 대완구 [large cannon] prepared the Bigyeokjincheonleoi. They 끼우 [inserted] the 지통 [fuse holder] containing the 목곡 [wooden piece], covered it with a lid, and 빙빙 돌려 (rotated) it tightly with a dedicated tool. Similarly, they filled the hole on the side with gunpowder and 끼웠 [inserted] the lid by 돌려 (rotating) it with the same tool.

The soldiers who finished preparing the Bigyeokjincheonleoi lifted it and put it into the 대완구 [large cannon]. After that, the soldiers pulled the 격철 (trigger) attached to the back of the 대완구 [large cannon], 끼웠 [inserted] the 동화모 (igniter), dragged the 줄 (rope) attached to the 격철 [trigger], and hid behind the 방호벽 (protective wall) created in the back.

“Your Majesty, please hide yourself for a moment. This is to prevent any possible danger.”

“I understand.”

At Choi Hae-san’s words, Sejong and the ministers hid behind the 방호벽 [protective wall] installed in front of the platform. As Sejong safely hid himself, a military officer standing next to Choi Hae-san waved a red flag greatly.

“방포! 방포! 방포! (Fire! Fire! Fire!)”

Pung! Sswiwoong! Kwang!

The soldiers hiding behind the 방호벽 [protective wall] pulled the 끈 (rope), and the 대완구 [large cannon] fired the Bigyeokjincheonleoi. The Bigyeokjincheonleoi, which flew across the sky with a whistling sound, fell into the empty space and soon exploded with a loud noise.”

“Eut!”

Sejong groaned softly at the shockwave that came with the explosion.

“Your Majesty! What’s wrong!”

Hwang Hee, who was right next to him, asked urgently at Sejong’s groan.

Sejong waved his hand at Hwang Hee’s question.

“It’s nothing. I was just startled for a moment.”

“Your Majesty. You can get up now.”

“Kkeung!”

Seeing him getting up while giving strength to his thighs, Hyang muttered to himself.

“You still need to lose some weight… should I reduce your meals?”

He muttered in a small voice, but Sejong, who heard it, shouted at Hyang.

“You rascal! Are you trying to starve your father!”

“Ah, no! Please look at the target!”

At Hyang’s hasty change of topic, Sejong muttered complaints into his mouth and turned his head.

“Heo….”

Sejong and the ministers, who turned their heads and looked at the target, could not close their open mouths.

Even from a distance, the targets and scarecrows that had been erected around the empty space were a mess.

“Would you like to go see it up close?”

“I should!”

Sejong, who was curious, was the first to step forward and strode forward.

* * *

“This is just…”

“The power of one 화탄 [fire bomb] is….”

The ministers who arrived at the place where the scarecrows were could not hide their surprise.

Not a single scarecrow was standing properly. The pillars that had been fixing the 두정판 (helmet) had flown away here and there along with the 두정판 [helmet], and the scarecrows wearing 갑옷 (armor) were scattered in all directions as well.

Sejong and the ministers lifted the fallen target boards and scarecrows to examine their condition.

“Heo…”

“If they were real people… I don’t even want to think about it.”

“If they were real people… it would have been hell.”

The ministers who saw the 두정판 [helmet] and 갑옷 [armor] with holes shook their heads.

As they said, if it had been used on people wearing 갑옷 [armor], it was certain that it would have been a scary situation even in their dreams.

“If there are any survivors in this situation, killing them might be more merciful?”

Sejong muttered softly, looking at the 두정판 [helmet] in his hand. The 두정판 [helmet] in Sejong’s hand had a large hole that even a fist could fit through.

Not all the ministers showed a negative reaction. Jo Mal-saeng, who was in charge of the 병조 (Ministry of Military Affairs), completely lost his mind.

“Your Highness! Crown Prince! Is it possible to mass-produce this 화탄 [fire bomb] right now? No, please answer that it is possible!”

At Hyang’s answer, Jo Mal-saeng immediately prostrated himself before Sejong.

“Your Majesty! We must mass-produce this 화탄 [fire bomb] right now! Jangchongtong [long-barreled gun] and Masangchongtong [horseback gun] are also mysterious weapons, but compared to this 화탄 [fire bomb], they are insignificant! If only this 화탄 [fire bomb] can be mass-produced, the problem of the Jurchens can be solved immediately! Not only the Jurchens! We can completely subjugate that hateful Tsushima Island! No, not only Tsushima Island, but we can also completely 토벌 (subjugate) the main base of those Japanese pirates!”

“Hmm….”

“Your Majesty! We must mass-produce it!”

“Hmm….”

At Jo Mal-saeng’s 간언 (advice), shouting until his 목 (neck) was 터져 (bursting), Sejong’s face became 혹하는 (tempted). However, Sejong decided to take a beat.

“We have confirmed the power, so let’s find out more details and decide. It may be a burden on the 역량 (capability) of this Joseon.”

“Your Majesty! If the 역량 [capability] is lacking, we can increase the 역량 [capability]! If 초석 (saltpeter) is lacking, we will 뒤질 (search) the kitchens and 뒷간 (outhouses) throughout Joseon, and if 황 (sulfur) is lacking, we will 구해오겠 (smuggle) it even if we have to 밀무역 [engage in illegal trade]! If 숯 (charcoal) is lacking, we will 베어서 (cut down) all the trees in Joseon! We must mass-produce it!”

Jo Mal-saeng was in a 분위기 (atmosphere) where he would grab Sejong’s 바짓가랑이 (pants) and 늘어질 (cling). Hwang Hee 끼어들었다 (intervened) in that.

“Grand Minister! Didn’t you hear His Majesty’s 옥음 (voice)! He said to listen to more explanations and 의논 (discuss)! What’s the 급하시오 (rush)! Get up quickly! What 추태 (disgrace) is this!”

“Kkeueung….”

At Hwang Hee’s 지적 (point), Jo Mal-saeng 세우고 (raised) his body and 바라봤 (looked) at Sejong. Hyang, who saw Jo Mal-saeng’s 간절한 (earnest) 표정 (expression) 바라보는 (looking at) Se Jong, 중얼거렸다 (muttered) 속으로 (inwardly).

‘Why does the cat from that movie come to mind?‘

* * *

“Explain why Bigyeokjincheonleoi exerts such power.”

“Yes. Your Majesty.”

At Sejong’s command, Choi Hae-san began the explanation.

“The shell of the 화탄 [fire bomb] was made as thin as possible. It can withstand the shock of 발사 (firing) and 착탄 (impact), but the 강도 (strength) and 두께 (thickness) were adjusted to the extent that it could not withstand the internal 폭발 (explosion).

Inside the shell of the 화탄 [fire bomb], small 구슬 (beads) made of 무쇠 (cast iron) were 발랐다 (applied). These 구슬 [beads] increase the number of 파편 (fragments), increasing 살상력 (lethality).

Increased the power of the 화약 (gunpowder). Although 폭유 (powerful oil) or 덕갑식 화약 (Deokgap-style gunpowder) was not used, the process of 섞는 (mixing) 흙 (soil) into 을식화약 (Eulsik gunpowder) was 빼버리면서 (removed), maintaining the power.”

“Truly, the 수고 (effort) is visible.”

At Sejong’s 평가 (evaluation), Choi Hae-san 머리를 조아리며 (bowed his head) 답했다 (answered).

“The part where 수고 [effort] was 들어간 [put in] was the part that 조정하는 (adjusting) the 두께 (thickness) of the 껍질 (shell). The rest of the parts were just 따랐을 (followed) the parts that 세자저하 (Crown Prince) had already 다 (all) 결정하신 (decided).”

At Choi Hae-san’s 대답 (answer), Sejong’s 시선 (gaze) 바라보는 (looking at) Hyang 담겨 (contained) 있었다 (was). Sejong 바라보던 (looking at) Hyang 던졌다 (threw) 질문 (question) 최해산 (Choi Hae-san) 에게 (to).

“Just now, the 병조판서 (Minister of Military Affairs) 요청했다 (requested) 대량생산 (mass production) of Bigyeokjincheonleoi. Is it 가능하겠는가 (possible)?”

“That 부분 (part) 화약 (gunpowder) 만 (only) 충분히 (sufficiently) 공급된다면 (supplied) 가능할 (possible) 것이라고 (that) 생각 (think) 하옵니다 (I do).”

At Choi Hae-san’s 대답 (answer), Hwang Hee 끼어들었다 (intervened) 중간에 (in the middle).

“장군 (General), 정녕 (really) 가능하겠소 (possible)? 아까 (earlier), 세자 (Crown Prince) 저하 (His Highness) 께서는 (said) 덕갑식화약 (Deokgap-style gunpowder) 의 (of) 대량생산 (mass production) 이 (is) 불가능한 (impossible) 이유 (reason) 로 (as) 장인이 (artisans) 부족함을 (lack) 이야기하셨소 (said). 내 (I) 아는 (know) 바를 (based on) 기반으로 (knowledge) 생각하자면 (thinking), 저렇게 (like that) 대단한 (great) 화탄 (fire bomb) 을 (to) 대량으로 (mass) 만들기 (make) 위해서는 (in order to) 우수한 (excellent) 장인들도 (artisans) 많이 (many) 필요할 (need) 터요 (will). 그렇다면 (then), 같은 (same) 문제가 (problem) 생기지 (arise) 않겠소 (won’t)?”

황희 (Hwang Hee) 의 (of) 지적 (point) 에 (to) 최해산 (Choi Hae-san) 은 (is) 고개를 (head) 끄덕였다 (nodded).

“대감 (Grand Minister) 의 (of) 지적 (point) 이 (is) 옳습니다 (correct). 하지만 (but), 세자저하 (Crown Prince) 께서 (께서) 이 (this) 화탄 (fire bomb) 을 (을) 만드실 (make) 때 (when), 그 (that) 부분 (part) 도 (also) 같이 (together) 생각하셨습니다 (thought).”