Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 275

275. How a Crow-Tit Catches a Stork (1)

Following evaluations like, “There’s a problem with the small cannon. There’s no solution,” the retired artisans returned to the workshop.

“Welcome, Old Master Wang (老爺, *lǎoyé* – a respectful term for elders),”

“You’re working hard.”

The leader greeted him with the utmost respect, and Wang Sam responded casually, immediately cutting to the chase.

“I heard there’s a problem with the small cannon?”

“Yes, Master.”

“Let’s have a look.”

Wang Sam tilted his head after examining the small cannon the artisans presented.

“If we’re just talking about size, this isn’t a small cannon, but a fire lance (火槍, *huǒqiāng*)?”

In the Ming Dynasty, small cannons like the ones Joseon used, such as the Sajeon Chongtong [a type of Korean firearm], were often referred to as fire lances. Like the Joseon army’s, they were mounted on long handles, hence the name ‘lance.’

To Wang Sam’s question, the leader immediately replied.

“The higher-ups said it’s a small artillery piece….”

“Do those high-ranking officials know much about artillery types?”

Muttering about those distant figures in the Forbidden City who only issued orders, Wang Sam asked again.

“Why did the order to make such a thing come down so suddenly?”

The leader explained the conflict between Joseon and the Jurchens in Liaodong. After listening intently, Wang Sam glared at him.

“It clearly looks like a fire lance, so why are you calling it artillery?”

“I thought so too, but since the higher-ups call it a cannon….”

“So, you intended to make it like a fire lance but report it as a cannon?”

“Yes.”

“Tsk!”

Wang Sam clicked his tongue, seemingly displeased. However, he understood the leader’s predicament.

‘If they don’t like it, not only will his head be on the line, but his family’s too….’

Knowing well what happened when one fell out of the Emperor’s favor, Wang Sam began to address the problem.

“Putting that aside, you said the small cannon exploded? How much gunpowder did you put in, and how?”

“One and a half liang (approximately 50g), Master Wang. And as for how we put it in….”

After listening to the leader’s explanation, Wang Sam was aghast.

“You put one and a half liang into this small cannon? Are you crazy?”

“We heard that’s how they do it in Joseon….”

“You idiot! If Joseon did it that way, as you say, not a single Joseon soldier would have survived!”

“But, that’s what the rumors said….”

“Rumors are just rumors! You should have verified it with your own eyes! And you call yourself the chief artisan (匠頭, *jiàngtóu*)!”

Wang Sam, scolding the leader who continued to make excuses, continued.

“Listen carefully. Joseon is the one who learned gunpowder technology from us. Joseon and we both use the same gunpowder. What does that mean?”

At Wang Sam’s prompting, the leader immediately replied.

“It means our method is wrong.”

“That’s right! As far as I know, Joseon also uses about one liang of gunpowder in their small cannons, just like us, and after tamping the gunpowder, they put in layers of iron pellets. If you want to do it the way you did, you should be making a large cannon, not a small one!”

“I know! I know!”

The leader pleaded with Wang Sam.

“But, what the higher-ups want is a range of at least 30 *jangs* (approximately 100m)….”

“You idiot! Then you should have found another way! Just putting in more gunpowder won’t solve it! And you all listen too!”

Wang Sam looked around at the leader and the artisans, raising his voice.

“You all know what gunpowder is, don’t you! You know what will happen if one and a half *liang* of gunpowder goes into this small thing, and yet you do your work like this!”

“We’re, we’re sorry!”

“Enough! Tell me what you all have been thinking!”

At Wang Sam’s command, the artisans brought out their ideas.

This situation was not unique to this workshop.

The armory in Beijing consisted of three workshops. Weapons approved here were soon copied and spread throughout the Ming Dynasty. Therefore, all the artisans had to rack their brains for their honor and future survival.

What came out of that process was something similar to the Sajeonjanchong before Xiang’s intervention.

“It can hold four thin, long arrows (細長箭, *xìchángjiàn*) together. And one smaller arrow (次小箭, *cìxiǎojiàn*) can be loaded.”

To the leader’s explanation, Wang Sam added.

“The long arrows won’t achieve the range the higher-ups want, so let’s just remove that altogether and tell them the smaller arrow can do it.”

“Yes.”

The chief artisan who created the prototype soon contacted the official and submitted it.

Besides Wang Sam’s workshop, other workshops also submitted prototypes at intervals of a few days.

Looking at the prototypes, the Xuande Emperor ordered the eunuch.

“Bring the soldiers who saw the Joseon army’s battle in Liaodong.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

A few days later, the soldiers summoned by the Xuande Emperor entered the Forbidden City.

“It is an honor to see Your Majesty! Long live, long live, long long live!”

The Xuande Emperor acknowledged the soldiers who paid their respects with shouts of long live and ordered the eunuch.

“Bring those things here.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Soon after, the eunuchs carried in a large table. On the table covered with white silk were the prototypes made by the Beijing workshops.

The Xuande Emperor asked the soldiers.

“Did the small artillery pieces of the Joseon army that you saw in Liaodong look like this?”

At the Xuande Emperor’s question, the soldiers carefully examined the prototypes. After a while, one of the soldiers spoke.

“We humble soldiers had to watch from afar, so we didn’t see it clearly, but it didn’t look like this.”

“That’s right.”

As the other soldiers agreed, the Xuande Emperor asked with a serious face.

“Really?”

“Yes. It was definitely a different shape from this.”

At the soldiers’ answer, the Xuande Emperor gestured lightly.

“I understand. You have worked hard. I will reward you for your efforts in the harsh land.”

“We are deeply grateful for your grace! Long live, long live! Long long live!”

After sending the soldiers out, the Xuande Emperor looked back at the Senior Grand Secretary of the Grand Secretariat.

“It seems we will have to send an envoy to Joseon.”

The Senior Grand Secretary, who immediately understood the Xuande Emperor’s words, pointed out the problem.

“Will Joseon respond properly? There’s also the story of Silla’s Cheonbono (千步弩) from the old days, isn’t there?”

At the Senior Grand Secretary’s reminder, the Xuande Emperor nodded silently.

To acquire the Cheonbono [a powerful crossbow], the strongest weapon among Silla’s weapons, Tang pressured Silla and brought the bow master Gu Jincheon to Tang. Gu Jincheon, dragged to Tang, continued to sabotage with various excuses.

In the end, Gu Jincheon’s subsequent records could not be found anywhere.

Quoting the historical event, the Senior Grand Secretary expressed a negative opinion. However, at the following question, he had to remain silent.

“Then, does the Senior Grand Secretary have a solution to this?”

“…”

The Xuande Emperor, looking at the silent Senior Grand Secretary, continued.

“I don’t believe Joseon will act honestly either. I would do the same if I were the King of Joseon. However, we only need to know what kind of object it is and how it is used. We also have artisans and gunpowder. We won’t be fooled like the Cheonbono in the old days.”

“That is true….”

While answering the Xuande Emperor’s words, the Senior Grand Secretary couldn’t shake off a nagging feeling.

‘What did I miss? What am I missing?’

“Your Majesty.”

Among the officials listening to the conversation, a military officer stepped forward.

“What is it?”

“Wouldn’t it be possible to prevent Joseon from playing tricks even if they wanted to?”

“Prevent them from playing tricks even if they wanted to? How?”

As the Xuande Emperor showed interest, the military officer spoke with more confidence.

“We should demand their small artillery pieces and give them a tight deadline at the same time.”

“Give them a tight deadline?”

“Yes, for example, giving them only about ten days or half a month. In addition, we should also demand a large quantity. For example, the time is ten days, and the quantity is about 1,000 pieces.”

“That’s not bad.”

As the Xuande Emperor reacted positively, one of the scholars from the Grand Secretariat pointed out the problem.

“If we ask them to produce 1,000 pieces at once, Joseon will strongly resist.”

The military officer immediately addressed the scholar’s concern.

“That is true. So, we use 1,000 pieces as bait. What we need is only about 20 or 30 pieces at most. So, we pretend to reduce the quantity appropriately while shortening the deadline. That way, Joseon will not have time to easily deceive us.”

“That’s a great idea! What do you think, Senior Grand Secretary?”

“I think it’s good.”

The Senior Grand Secretary immediately agreed. The nagging feeling had lessened while listening to the military officer’s explanation.

As even the Senior Grand Secretary agreed, the Xuande Emperor made a decision immediately.

“Then send an envoy right away!”

* * *

Having made a decision, Ming, according to custom, sent a messenger in advance to notify Joseon that an envoy would be sent.

Joseon, having received the message, was put on emergency alert.

“Why on earth?”

From Sejong to all the ministers, no one could hide their doubts. It was not a regular envoy, but an envoy sent urgently.

In particular, thanks to the messenger who only informed them of the date of arrival but never revealed the reason, the doubts grew deeper and deeper.

“The most likely reason is the recent conquest of Yi Manju.”

At Heo Jo’s words, Lee Maenggyun immediately retorted.

“Hasn’t that already been approved by the Emperor? Changing his words would damage the Emperor’s honor. Would he do it recklessly?”

“But, besides that, there is nothing that would be a problem between Joseon and Ming, is there?”

Amidst various arguments, Sejong looked back at Xiang.

“What do you think, Crown Prince?”

“I think it’s probably because of the conquest of Yi Manju. However, it seems to be a problem not with the territory we’ve gained, but with something else.”

“Something else?”

“The weapons our Joseon army used.”

“Ah….”

At Xiang’s answer, Sejong and the ministers nodded.

It was a place where all sorts of new weapons developed by Joseon had been showcased.

As Xiang said, it was enough reason for Ming to send an envoy.

“I expected it, but the reaction is fast.”

“That is true.”

At Sejong’s words, the ministers all nodded. Weapons, especially those used in large quantities, were not the kind of thing that could be hidden forever.

Moreover, fighting against Yi Manju and Mentemu was not something that could be won by hiding these weapons.

In addition, the battle took place where Ming’s eyes and ears were located.

It was done with the exposure in mind, and considering what was gained from it, it was worth enduring.

Only, what Sejong and the ministers were regretting was that Ming had reacted faster than expected.

However, Xiang was thinking the opposite.

“Fast reaction? I think it’s very late?”

“Huh?”

At Xiang’s words, Sejong and the ministers looked at him again.

“Tell me the reason.”

At Sejong’s question, Xiang immediately explained.

“How many years has it been since the Gapsik Jangchong [a type of rifle] and Masangchong [another type of rifle] were made and commonly used in actual combat? There have been many battles in the north during that time. But only now is Ming reacting. This means that the surveillance network Ming created in Liaodong is more 허술 [hushul – 허술하다 means 허술하다] than I thought.”

“You could think of it that way.”

“That is true.”

Sejong, nodding at Xiang’s explanation, asked again.

“Then, what do you think caught Ming’s attention?”

“The Jangchong.”

Jo Malsaeng intervened.

“Other weapons also showed powerful force?”

To Jo Malsaeng’s question, Xiang explained.

“Ming also has similar weapons to Singijeon [a type of rocket arrow], Hwacha [a mobile multiple rocket launcher], and Bigeokjincheonroe [a type of bomb]. However, that is not the case with Jangchong. Of course, there is Hwachang [a type of fire lance], but it is not something to compare with our Jangchong.”

“That is true.”

Jo Malsaeng nodded at Xiang’s words.

Sejong, who was listening, became serious.

“The old story of Silla’s Cheonbono comes to mind.”

“That is true.”

Xiang intervened.

“We cannot hand over the artisans. No, Ming may not even ask to hand over the artisans.”

“Why?”

“Because they will know the story of Cheonbono too.”

“Ah….”

“It’s fortunate in a way….”

With the conviction that the reason Ming was coming was because of the Jangchong, Sejong and the ministers pondered a solution.

Looking at that scene, Xiang suddenly asked an irrelevant question.

“Father, what should a crow-tit do to catch up with a stork?”

“Huh?”