Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 274

274. Hamheung Detached Palace (2)

When Yi Man-ju and Meonteomu showed signs of starting a war, the Ming Dynasty closely monitored the situation in Joseon.

The reason Ming was so interested in this conflict was Joseon itself.

* * *

Although Joseon was nominally subordinate to Ming, it was also a country they watched with vigilance.

During Yi Seong-gye’s reign, Joseon had exerted considerable influence over Liaodong [a region in northeastern China], and after Yi Bang-won took the throne, he maintained ties with Japan despite Emperor Yongle’s orders.

Furthermore, even as its influence waned, Joseon constantly engaged in maneuvers to maintain its sway over the Jurchen people of Liaodong.

Therefore, just as Joseon didn’t fully trust Ming, Ming also harbored reservations about Joseon.

This historical context explained Ming’s hesitation when the Imjin War [Japanese invasions of Korea, 1592-1598] broke out before Hyang’s intervention.

-Could Joseon and Japan be colluding to lure our Ming forces into a trap?

Eventually, after realizing it was a genuine attack and not a trap, Ming belatedly sent reinforcements.

* * *

Every day, numerous messengers traveled between Beijing and Liaodong, and from Liaodong back to Ming.

While the Ming soldiers stationed in the Liaodong garrison remained on high alert, scouts tracked the Joseon army and the Jurchen people, constantly monitoring the situation.

Everything they observed and heard was meticulously documented and sent to Emperor Xuande.

Upon receiving these reports, Emperor Xuande convened the Grand Secretaries of the Inner Cabinet, led by the Senior Grand Secretary, along with other civil and military officials for a meeting.

“I hear that Joseon has mobilized approximately 40,000 troops for this conflict. It seems Joseon is quite determined,” Emperor Xuande stated.

A military officer stepped forward, bowed his head, and replied, “In my opinion, Joseon appears to be committing all its resources to this endeavor.”

“Oh? Why do you say that?” Emperor Xuande inquired.

“I have consulted with our merchants who travel between Shandong [a coastal province in eastern China] and Jemulpo [present-day Incheon, South Korea]. According to them, all of Joseon is in a state of upheaval, with not only the troops guarding the vicinity of Hanseong [old name for Seoul] but also soldiers stationed along the southern coast moving north.”

“The soldiers from the south went north? Why?” the Emperor asked, intrigued.

“To replace the soldiers who have been dispatched to pursue Yi Man-ju and Meonteomu.”

“Hmm…,” Emperor Xuande murmured, tapping the desk with his fingers as he pondered the information.

‘That’s the most reasonable explanation, but…’

After a moment of contemplation, Emperor Xuande turned to the Senior Grand Secretary.

“Senior Grand Secretary.”

“At your service, Your Majesty.”

“I recall hearing in my youth that Emperor Taizu [Hongwu Emperor, founder of the Ming Dynasty] was concerned that Joseon might mobilize 300,000 troops to invade Ming. Is it possible that such a Joseon is now struggling to mobilize even 40,000 troops?”

In response to Emperor Xuande’s question, the Senior Grand Secretary paused to gather his thoughts before replying, “As far as I know, Yi Seong-gye, the founder of Joseon, held considerable sway over the Jurchens. A significant portion of that number of 300,000 would have been Jurchens.”

“Is that so?” Emperor Xuande mused, lost in thought once more. He then turned back to the Senior Grand Secretary.

“Then, should we consider this a civil war?”

“That seems to be the case. All the tribes involved in this conflict were once loyal subjects of Yi Seong-gye. However, after Yi Seong-gye’s death, they rebelled against Joseon.”

“That makes sense. So, Joseon is currently waging an all-out war?”

“It appears so.”

“An all-out war against only two tribes? Has Joseon weakened to such an extent?” Emperor Xuande began to consider whether he needed to reassess his perception of Joseon.

Seeing Emperor Xuande’s contemplation, another military officer stepped forward.

“Furthermore, I must report that the King of Joseon has personally gone on campaign (親征, *chinjeong*, meaning the king personally leads the expedition).”

At this report, Emperor Xuande, who had been in a relaxed posture, straightened up and asked, “The King of Joseon has personally gone on campaign?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Upon hearing the confirmation, Emperor Xuande burst into hearty laughter (破顔大笑, *poyan daisho*, meaning a broad, delighted smile or laugh).

“Hahaha! Indeed! Indeed! Indeed!”

Repeating the word ‘Indeed!’ several times, Emperor Xuande turned to his subjects and declared, “To merely sit in the palace while others exert every effort to protect the royal heritage is a disgrace to the monarch! Indeed! Yi Seong-gye, who founded Joseon, was renowned as an amazing military commander (武將, *mujang*), and that blood hasn’t vanished! Hahaha!”

Observing Emperor Xuande’s delighted demeanor, the Senior Grand Secretary sighed inwardly.

‘That blood hasn’t vanished on this side either.’

In the early years of his reign, there had been an invasion by the Uriyangkhai tribe.

At that time, Emperor Xuande had personally led 3,000 cavalrymen and defeated the invading 10,000 Uriyangkhai tribesmen.

Emperor Xuande raised his voice, his face beaming. “What were Emperor Taizong [second emperor of the Tang Dynasty] and Emperor Yongle [third emperor of the Ming Dynasty] like? Whenever the Northern Yuan [Mongol remnants after the fall of the Yuan Dynasty] caused trouble, they personally led expeditions! Inform those in charge of teaching the Crown Prince that if a country is in crisis, the monarch must be the first to go to the front lines!”

“We obey the order!” the subjects immediately responded, bowing their heads. However, the Senior Grand Secretary’s face paled.

‘This is dangerous! If the monarch personally leads a campaign and something goes wrong, the country will be in peril!’

The Senior Grand Secretary, about to offer a word of caution, paused for a moment.

‘However, not only Emperor Taizong of the previous generation but also His Majesty now have memories of personally leading expeditions and achieving victory. If I rashly declare it impossible in this situation, how can I bear the consequences?’

In the end, the Senior Grand Secretary decided to remain silent.

* * *

Records of the battles taking place in Liaodong continued to arrive in Beijing.

While examining these records, Emperor Xuande’s attention was drawn to the weapons used by the Joseon army.

“They are using fire arrows (火箭, *huojian*) mounted on carts in large quantities?” he asked.

A military officer immediately stepped forward and answered, “Yes. Our army also employs similar weapons. We gather carts to build walls, mount nests of bees arrows (一窩蜂箭, *yiwofengjian*), and then fire them at the enemy.”

“As far as I know, nests of bees arrows are used to suppress many enemies at close range. However, it is recorded that the Joseon army used them at long range.”

“That is because the Joseon army lacks bravery.”

“Lacks bravery?” Emperor Xuande questioned.

“Yes. The power of fire arrows ultimately does not exceed the power of a single arrow. The role of nests of bees arrows is to suppress large numbers of enemies densely packed at close range, but if they are fired from such a distance, the spread (散布, *sanbu*, meaning scattering) is too wide, and their effectiveness is greatly diminished.”

“Is that so…,” Emperor Xuande murmured, listening to the military officer’s explanation and formulating his own analysis.

‘Is it because the Joseon army is cowardly that they mobilized such a large force?’

Emperor Xuande analyzed the situation based on his own experience.

During the Jurchen invasion shortly after his ascension to the throne, the 3,000 cavalrymen he personally commanded were able to repel 10,000 Jurchens because the Ming cavalrymen were armed with cannons.

For cavalrymen, gunpowder weapons were highly effective.

And as far as he knew, Joseon was a country that dedicated significant resources to artillery.

If the gunpowder weapons deployed in such a concentrated manner performed effectively, there would be little need to mobilize such a large army and personally lead the campaign against only two tribes.

Even if Yi Man-ju’s tribe was a large one with over 10,000 households and possessed over 30,000 cavalrymen, brave soldiers who knew how to properly use gunpowder weapons could easily achieve a complete victory.

‘So, the King of Joseon personally led the campaign? That makes sense.’

However, this conclusion was shattered within a few days.

According to subsequent reports, the Joseon army steadily annihilated Yi Man-ju’s tribes while pursuing them, eventually engaging in a decisive battle in Jilin [a province in Northeast China].

And on the day that report arrived, the military officer who had claimed that ‘the Joseon army is cowardly’ was beheaded.

* * *

Ming scouts meticulously observed the Battle of Jilin and sent a detailed report to Beijing.

After confirming the report, Emperor Xuande meticulously reviewed the battle results.

In the process, the officials analyzed and reported as carefully and calmly as possible to avoid suffering the same fate as the beheaded officer.

“As expected, the power of fire arrows is weak. The Joseon army seems to have increased the range, but considering the amount of gunpowder used in the fire arrows, the battle results (戰果, *zhanguo*, meaning battle achievements or results) are quite poor.”

“That is true. But what is this ‘exploding shell in the air’?”

“It appears to be a weapon similar to the Jinchen rae (震天雷, *zhen tian lei*, meaning ‘thunder that shakes the heavens’).”

“Jinchen rae?” Emperor Xuande asked, expressing his unfamiliarity.

A military officer explained the Jinchen rae in detail. “So… if you put gunpowder in an iron ball, attach a fuse, and throw it, it explodes and kills the enemies?”

“That’s right. The only difference is that the Joseon army seems to have put it in a cannon and fired it.”

“Fire it in a cannon…. Hmm…. It will fly far.”

“That’s correct.”

At the military officer’s report, Emperor Xuande fell into thought.

‘It flies far. Not bad. But cannons are heavy weapons. Considering the logistics of transportation and the gunpowder required, it seems better to use them in a secure location?’

After further contemplation, Emperor Xuande reached a conclusion.

“It would be very effective for defense.”

“The ministers concur. Judging from the Joseon army’s tactics against the Jurchens and Japanese pirates, prioritizing defense is paramount. In that case, shooting or throwing Jinchen rae from cannons would yield the best results.”

“That’s right.”

Nodding his head, Emperor Xuande issued an order. “Order the artisans who make cannons to produce similar weapons. And have them installed in the fortresses of the Northern Yuan and Liaodong.”

“We obey the order!”

* * *

Following the Flying Thunder Crash Bomb, or rather, what Emperor Xuande and the Ming military officials were most interested in was the handgun used by the Joseon army.

“A small cannon that one person can carry?”

“That’s right.”

“Don’t we already have those?”

“That’s true, but the one used by the Joseon army has a considerably longer range.”

“A long range…,” Emperor Xuande stroked his chin, his voice trailing off. As Emperor Xuande, who had also benefited from such weapons, he was subtly tempted.

Tapping the desk with his fingers, Emperor Xuande immediately issued an order. “Add an order to the cannon artisans. Instruct them to develop a ‘long-range small cannon that can be operated independently by a single soldier’.”

“We obey the order!”

In this way, Ming also began to develop new weapons.

* * *

As befitting a great power (大國, *daguo*), Ming possessed more cannon artisans than Joseon.

Consequently, the artisans who received Emperor Xuande’s orders began to develop Jinchen rae that could be fired from cannons and long-range small cannons.

Bang!

“Kuaaak!”

“An accident!”

A loud explosion and screams erupted, and the artisans in the workshop rushed out.

The artisans who ran towards the source of the explosion and screams moved quickly.

“Extinguish the fire that’s spreading!”

“Move the injured!”

After a flurry of activity involving extinguishing the fire that had spread to the clothes of the artisans near the explosion site, and collecting and moving the dead and injured, the head of the workshop assessed the situation.

“Another small cannon (小包, *xiaobao*)?”

“Yes.”

Upon hearing the answer, the head immediately spat out curses.

‘A long-range small cannon operated by one person.’

The Ming artisans who received the initial order had thought it would be easy.

Because small cannons operated by a single person were already familiar items.

However, ‘long range’ continued to bring death.

“How long is a ‘long range’?”

“At least 30 measures (about 100m).”

“Yes?”

What the military wanted was a longer distance than they had anticipated.

* * *

The best solution they could devise was ‘to add more gunpowder’.

However, if they added more gunpowder, the barrel would explode and cause an accident, just like the one that had just occurred.

The reason was that they insisted on using the method of layering gunpowder and bullets in a single barrel, similar to the Joseon army before Hyang’s intervention.

Therefore, accidents occurred immediately as they increased the amount of gunpowder.

In the end, the head grabbed his head and cried out in frustration, “How did those Joseon bastards manage to do it!”