Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 544

544. All-Out War (2)

Having heard Emperor Xuande’s words through Wang Chung, Zhu Qizhen fell silent. Jo Byeong-deok and the other generals standing beside Zhu Qizhen stared at him with tense faces.

After contemplating for a long time, Zhu Qizhen finally opened his mouth with difficulty.

“It seems we will need quite a bit of time. In the meantime, have the soldiers prepare the garrisons and training grounds.”

“Yes, sir!”

“And, make sure the funds His Majesty sent are stored in a safe place and guarded thoroughly. Remember that these funds must be available no matter what the outcome!”

“We will engrave it in our hearts!”

Receiving the generals’ salute, Zhu Qizhen entered the residence of the Liaodong Military Commissioner.

* * *

The generals, having carried out Zhu Qizhen’s orders, gathered in Jo Byeong-deok’s military tent to talk.

The faces of the generals attending the conversation were more serious than ever.

“What should we do?”

“What do you mean, what to do? When the commander gives an order, we simply follow it.”

“You know very well that the situation is beyond such textbook answers!”

“Then, what are you going to do? Desert?”

“Why is desertion even being mentioned here!”

“No, what’s wrong with deserting?”

“Are you even a general of the Great Ming if you say that!”

As a heated argument broke out among the generals, the atmosphere grew increasingly hostile. As the atmosphere became more and more heated, reaching a point where a sword fight wouldn’t be surprising, Jo Byeong-deok slammed his hands on the desk.

Bang!

“What is this disgraceful behavior! It is written in military strategy that a general’s words and thoughts must be weighty, yet how can you show such frivolous 모습 [appearance/demeanor]!”

At Jo Byeong-deok’s shout, the generals lowered their heads and replied.

“We are sorry!”

“My apologies.”

Looking at the generals, Jo Byeong-deok continued.

“Frankly, it’s not that I don’t understand your concerns. I, too, have been giving it a lot of thought, but you see… In the end, the conclusion is simple. Whether we remain as generals guarding the frontier under a prince or become generals of a newly founded nation, the task we are assigned is only one.”

“Only one? What is it?”

To his subordinate’s question, Jo Byeong-deok replied simply.

“To bring Joseon to its knees.”

“Joseon, you say?”

Jo Byeong-deok nodded.

“That’s right. What do you think His Majesty’s secret order implies? And what about the ‘Jasan Sisters’ movement that has been circulating among the scholars in seclusion for some time now?”

“Hmm…”

“Ah…”

At Jo Byeong-deok’s words, the generals began to nod one by one. Realizing their situation, the generals soon began to utter curses.

“This fucking…”

“Damn it…”

“Shit, this is infuriating…”

Zhu Qizhen shook his head slightly at the Joseon curses coming from all directions.

* * *

Jo Byeong-deok concluded his words, calming the generals’ uproar.

“Even if the shape and color of the military flag we carry changes, the mission we are assigned is only one: To subdue Joseon! To this end, we must devise strategies, prepare weapons, and train soldiers!”

“Yes, sir!”

* * *

Zhu Qizhen went into seclusion for three days. He barely ate, pondering over and over again, and finally made a decision.

“Even if I allow the declaration of emperorship, it will only be to the extent of ‘ruling as an emperor internally while remaining a king externally’ at best…”

Zhu Qizhen was setting the limit to the extent of ruling as an emperor internally while remaining a king externally, even if he declared himself emperor.

“But, if one is a true man, it is natural to establish a family, so wouldn’t it be my duty to establish a nation myself!”

In the end, Zhu Qizhen took the bait that Emperor Xuande had offered.

Zhu Qizhen left the room and shouted loudly.

“Gather the generals!”

* * *

In a place where all the generals had gathered, Zhu Qizhen told them of his decision.

“Therefore, I will declare the founding of a new nation, Great Yan (大燕), to the heavens from this place!”

At Zhu Qizhen’s declaration, the generals wore expressions that said this was what they had been expecting. Seeing the generals not easily opening their mouths, Zhu Qizhen continued.

“Anyone who does not wish to participate in my great undertaking, leave immediately! I will give you one sh辰辰 [a traditional Chinese unit of time, approximately two hours] of time! Anyone who leaves their post without permission after this will be considered a deserter and executed immediately!”

With these words, Zhu Qizhen closed his mouth, and the generals looked around, gauging the reactions of others.

Just then, Jo Byeong-deok knelt down, clasped his hands, and shouted loudly.

“I will participate in this great undertaking!”

As if Jo Byeong-deok’s decision was the fuse, the other generals soon knelt down, clasped their hands, and shouted at the same time.

“I will participate in this great undertaking!”

* * *

As Zhu Qizhen made his decision and the generals decided to participate, things quickly began to take shape.

In the conference room of the Liaodong Military Commissioner’s office, Zhu Qizhen held a meeting with Wang Chung and the generals. Sitting around a table with a map of Liaodong and Joseon spread out, Jo Byeong-deok pointed out the immediate problems.

“The conscription and training of soldiers are important, but so is the production of weapons for them to use. In particular, the most important things are guns and cannons. Securing the resources to make these is crucial.”

“I know the answer to that part.”

At Jo Byeong-deok’s point, Wang Chung stepped forward and answered. Walking to the front of the map, Wang Chung pointed to a spot on the map.

“Here, Fushun (撫順) can be the answer. It is a place rich in wood, coal, iron, and copper. This place can sufficiently supply the resources needed to make the necessary weapons.”

“That’s fortunate.”

As Zhu Qizhen wore a relieved expression, a young general stood up from his seat and pointed out a problem.

“In order to properly use guns and cannons, a sufficient amount of gunpowder is needed. Therefore, the supply of gunpowder must also be resolved.”

At the young general’s point, everyone’s attention turned to Wang Chung. Wang Chung replied with a nonchalant expression.

“Twenty gunpowder artisans have come with me. The problem is the supply of saltpeter and sulfur. We will have to rely on merchants for this part.”

At Wang Chung’s answer, Zhu Qizhen made a decision.

“For the time being, obtain saltpeter and sulfur in the name of the Dongwang Department, not Great Yan.”

“I will do so.”

After hearing Wang Chung’s answer, Zhu Qizhen looked back at the generals.

“Is there anything else to prepare in order to plot against Joseon?”

At Zhu Qizhen’s question, a young general sitting at the very end of the table stood up.

“We need strong cannons to break down the walls of Joseon.”

At the young general’s suggestion, Jo Byeong-deok asked in place of Zhu Qizhen.

“The performance of the cannons we currently have is enough to destroy most walls. Is that not enough?”

The young general immediately answered Jo Byeong-deok’s question.

“The walls made by the Joseon bastards are not ordinary walls. I don’t know what trick they used to make them, but the walls of Joseon are not made by stacking bricks or stones, but are single stone walls.”

“Explain in more detail.”

As the young general’s explanation ended, Zhu Qizhen and Jo Byeong-deok shook their heads slightly.

“It’s hard to believe.”

As the two wore expressions of disbelief, young generals stood up here and there, adding to the story.

“I have seen it as well.”

“I have also…”

As the young generals’ reports continued, Zhu Qizhen and Jo Byeong-deok’s faces became serious.

“They have all served in the military in the border area with Joseon. Therefore, it seems that countermeasures are definitely needed.”

“That’s right…”

Zhu Qizhen, trailing off, looked back at Wang Chung.

“Do you perhaps have a countermeasure?”

“Please wait a moment.”

With those words, Wang Chung disappeared outside. After some time, Wang Chung returned with a large scroll in his arms.

“This seems to be the answer.”

With those words, Wang Chung unfurled the scroll on the table.

“It is called the Hwaryongpo (火龍砲, Fire Dragon Cannon).”

“Oh!”

Zhu Qizhen and Jo Byeong-deok exclaimed as they looked at the 모습 [appearance/shape] of the cannon drawn on the scroll. As the other generals showed interest in their 모습, Zhu Qizhen gave an order.

“Pass it around.”

While passing the scroll around, the generals repeatedly exclaimed. Meanwhile, Zhu Qizhen asked Wang Chung.

“Even though I was learning state affairs while staying in Nanjing, I received reports on most things. But I have never heard of that cannon even once. Does it actually exist?”

Wang Chung immediately answered Zhu Qizhen’s question.

“Only one unit was made, and after one firing test, it was immediately put into storage.”

“Why?”

“Although its power was good, there were many problems with its operation.”

“Still, the power of such a large cannon could be called invincible, wouldn’t you say?”

While Zhu Qizhen expressed his regret, Jo Byeong-deok nodded.

“It is certainly too big to be used for defense. It would be the best for siege warfare, but moving it to the battlefield would have been a big deal.”

At Jo Byeong-deok’s point, Wang Chung nodded.

“That is why it ended up in storage.”

“Then, for what reason did His Majesty make such a large cannon?”

“It was made because the nations of the Muslims in the Western Regions use such large cannons.”

“Hmm…”

At Wang Chung’s explanation, Zhu Qizhen and Jo Byeong-deok let out strange exclamations.

* * *

As foreign trade between Ming and Joseon became more active, various butterfly effects occurred, and the change in cannons was one of them.

If Portugal, after seeing the Joseon artillery corps, chose to operate a large number of small, mobile cannons, Ming brought in the concept of stone cannons from the Middle East and Europe and created large cannons.

* * *

The generals who had looked at the blueprints Wang Chung had brought answered Zhu Qizhen in unison.

“If we have that cannon, we will be able to break down the walls of Joseon!”

Having heard the generals’ answers, Zhu Qizhen immediately made a decision.

“Its power is good, but it is said to have many drawbacks. Therefore, you generals should work with Wang Chung to find a solution!”

“Yes, sir!”

* * *

Meanwhile, Joseon was also able to obtain intelligence about Zhu Qizhen’s movements.

“He sent the Crown Prince to Liaodong?”

At Hwang Hee’s question, Heo Hoo immediately answered.

“It is said that he sent the Crown Prince because the Oirat [a powerful Mongol group], who have cannons, might cause trouble.”

At Heo Hoo’s answer, Hwang Hee looked back at the other officials.

“He sent the Crown Prince for such a matter? What do you all think? Do you think it is reasonable?”

At Hwang Hee’s answer, the officials replied in unison.

“Too much is as bad as too little.”

At the officials’ answer, Hwang Hee nodded and stood up from his seat.

“Let’s go to Seungwhadang [a government building in Joseon].”

* * *

“I have also received a report. It is said that not only did the Crown Prince go, but 150,000 troops went with him. What does the Ministry of National Defense think?”

At Hwang’s question, Jo Mal-saeng immediately answered.

“Ming’s troops are known to be about 3 million. And if it is simply for the stability of the Liaodong region, the number of 150,000 can be seen as somewhat reasonable. However, the problem is that this is unprecedented. According to the customs so far, if the Oirat or Jurchen were a concern, Ming would have strengthened the forces deployed to the Great Wall. But they sent troops directly, and even sent the Crown Prince with them? It is certain that there is another hidden scheme.”

Following Jo Mal-saeng’s words, Hwang Hee answered.

“Liaodong is clearly an excuse.”