Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 597

597. Opening the Heavens – Rolling Again Today (5)

The veterans’ treatment center named ‘Uihaengwon (義行院)’ [a special hospital for veterans] had many advantages.

It was the optimal place for the development and improvement of various assistive devices, including artificial limbs. Furthermore, by researching and developing various therapies for the rehabilitation of veterans, it greatly helped those in general society who needed rehabilitation.

In addition, it took charge of the care and treatment of those who showed signs of mental instability due to trauma from the horrific battlefield, creating a foundation for systematically researching the unfamiliar field of medicine called psychiatry.

Finally, it created a new occupation by employing a large number of male medical staff to assist with rehabilitation treatments that required physical strength, including helping veterans with bathing and bowel movements, which were sensitive tasks for women to handle. In particular, male medical staff who received training at military hospitals and gained practical experience at Uihaengwon were highly sought after in medical fields such as trauma and burn treatment, as these areas also required a large number of assistants with physical strength, just like rehabilitation treatment.

* * *

The battle that began with Joo Gi-jin’s invasion had a significant impact on the field of medicine.

Immediately, it laid the foundation for a great advancement in the field of trauma surgery. As military doctors treated the flood of wounded soldiers that poured in whenever a battle broke out, they accumulated experience and improved their skills. In addition, they identified the need for research or improvements on aspects that were not mentioned in existing medical books, or were vaguely described and glossed over.

Furthermore, there was great progress in the improvement of surgical tools for operations.

Until now, they had been using tools that were brought in and copied from those developed in Rome and passed down through Byzantium.

However, since these tools were designed for the environment of almost 1,000 years ago, improvements were needed for many of them.

Therefore, doctors in urgent situations on the battlefield would heat or boil the tools they found around them to disinfect them before using them.

Interestingly, they were sterilizing and disinfecting even though they had no knowledge of germs. This was the result of Hyang’s persistent reminders, the experience of senior doctors who worked tirelessly in the field while being reminded, and the doctors who had ingrained in their minds the precautions recorded in Roman medical books brought in from the West.

As an aside, the survival rate of those who received treatment from Korean surgeons familiar with sterilization and disinfection procedures and those who received surgical treatment in Ming or Europe showed a tremendous difference, leading to a reversal in which Western surgical techniques were transferred back to the West.

Of course, this was a story for the distant future; right now, they had only accumulated mountains of data, improvements, and research topics obtained from the battlefield.

It was not only the surgical field that greatly developed.

As spring turned into summer, it was inevitable that epidemics would break out in the swampy battlefield environment. To treat these epidemics, new treatments and remedies began to be researched. In addition, as the importance of the environment in preventing the outbreak of epidemics was re-emphasized, the court conducted hygiene inspections of water sources, cities, and villages throughout Joseon.

In the case of Hanseong [old name for Seoul] alone, the inspection standards for water and sewage systems were strengthened, and the water quality management of streams, including Cheonggyecheon and Jungnangcheon, became stricter.

And all of these things were recorded in documents and handed over to the Record Office. Thanks to this, the red light of the Record Office pillars became even darker.

* * *

Sejong carefully analyzed the reports detailing this war in front of him.

“The handling of wounded soldiers is sufficient, and there seems to be no major problem with the awards to meritorious people. But what is the participation badge?”

“It is to make and distribute badges to be attached to the uniforms of soldiers and military officers who participated in this battle. It signifies that they are meritorious people who participated in the war that risked the fate of the country, and that they are veteran soldiers.”

At Hyang’s answer, Sejong tilted his head slightly.

“Is it really necessary?”

“It is necessary. This is because it signifies that you, Your Majesty, and the country recognize that they have faithfully performed their duties in their positions, even if they have not made great achievements in the war. Also, if there is someone who has experienced a great war around them, it will be of great help to new soldiers who have not experienced war. And those who wear these badges will fight more bravely in order not to tarnish their honor.”

“Hmm….”

Sejong fell into thought at Hyang’s explanation. But Hyang’s expression was firm.

‘Why did the Demjansk Shield or the Normandy Drop Badge come out?’

The Demjansk Shield was awarded to German soldiers who carried out the defense of Demjansk during World War II, and a badge commemorating this was later given to U.S. paratroopers who parachuted in the Normandy landings.

Eventually, Sejong, who had been contemplating, nodded his head.

“I think the Crown Prince’s words are reasonable. What do you think?”

At Sejong’s question, the ministers answered in unison.

“I think it is a truly beautiful idea.”

“Then let’s do that.”

In this way, badges were given to the soldiers who participated in this war.

It was a small iron plate with a gold border, modeled after the traditional square shield, the Hyungba Shield. Soldiers who participated in the Battle of Amnok River painted the inside of the border blue, and those who participated in the Battle of Liaodong painted it brown. And soldiers who participated in both battles were divided in half and painted blue and brown.

Similar badges were given to the navy, with those who were deployed to the Battle of Amnok River painted green, and those who participated in the Battle of the West Sea painted yellow. And those who went through the Battle of the West Sea and participated in the entry into Jinan Province were painted yellow and blue, and those who were deployed to the capture of Shanhaiguan received badges painted yellow and brown.

Those who received these badges cherished them as if they were sacred objects. And when they went out or took vacations, they wore these badges on their chests and walked proudly through the streets.

There was an unexpected effect that this badge brought about, which was that the number of soldiers who caused incidents and accidents outside decreased significantly.

“You’re not even worthy of the badge!”

Those who wore the badge and caused accidents were cursed and ostracized by their colleagues, which naturally led to them being careful about their behavior.

As an aside, this badge also became a family heirloom, and in the future, it became an object that collectors around the world would search for with great enthusiasm.

* * *

Not only positive things came out in the process of analyzing the war lessons, but also negative things or things that could become future concerns.

The case of the firearms that disappeared during the battle was one such case.

“It would be less of a concern if these flowed into the hands of bandits or Jurchens. Since there is a problem with the supply of bullets, we can deal with it in some way. The problem is if this goes into Ming. What do you think?”

At Sejong’s words, Hyang answered calmly.

“It must have gone in.”

The principle of the Joseon army was to retreat with all the weapons they had, even when retreating. Heavy firearms such as Hwacha [rocket arrow launcher] and Shotgun were taught to damage the firing mechanism so that they could not be used even if they were captured, and in the case of Bigyeokjincheonle [type of bomb] or throwing bombs, the doctrine was to collect them and detonate them.

However, in actual combat, it was almost impossible to properly follow this rule.

In particular, in the case of the trench warfare that took place in the Battle of Gwangnyeong, a considerable amount of long guns, Hwacha, and Shotgun disappeared in the battle to take and seize the trenches.

A significant amount of the weapons that disappeared in the ensuing pursuit could be recovered, but the numbers still did not match.

Sejong nodded at Hyang’s answer and asked.

“I see? Then Ming will soon make similar weapons?”

“It will be difficult right away.”

“Why?”

“Because of Fulminate.”

In order to properly use the firearms currently used by the Joseon army, a detonator is absolutely necessary. And in order to make a proper detonator, fulminate, called Fulminate of Mercury, is absolutely necessary.

Hyang continued to explain to Sejong.

“Fulminate is absolutely necessary to properly and powerfully use Deokgap-style explosives, blasting oil, and blasting tubes – dynamite – which are improved blasting oil. And this Fulminate is something that cannot be copied just by looking at it.”

“So it’s hard to copy right away?”

Hyang immediately nodded at Sejong’s question.

“Yes. I think the first thing they will copy is rifling the barrel. That alone will greatly improve performance.”

Sejong and all the ministers nodded at Hyang’s explanation. Sejong, who examined the report at Hyang’s answer, asked Hyang again.

“So that’s why you mentioned 10 years at the longest?”

“Yes. If they have any sense, they will conduct all sorts of experiments to create something similar to Fulminate. If they are lucky, they will get results right away, and if not, it will take more time. But no matter what, it will not exceed 10 years. It doesn’t have to be exactly the same, as long as it has similar properties.”

“Then are you prepared?”

“I have a plan. First of all, we are preparing to develop firearms to be used instead of Hwacha and Shotgun, and new long guns to be used by soldiers.”

As soon as Hyang’s answer was finished, Sejong turned to Kim Jeom and Park Jong-woo.

“The Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister of Economy and Finance should allocate the necessary budget. Ming will never forget this humiliation and will surely try to avenge it. And Japan cannot be ignored either. Looking at the nature of the Japanese, they are two-faced and have no hesitation in satisfying their greed. Now that our Joseon is strong, they are friendly, but if they see even a small gap, they will immediately show their ferocity. So, we have no choice but to continue to move forward.”

“I will obey your command!”

As soon as Kim Jeom and Park Jong-woo’s answer came out, Sejong turned to Hyang.

“I order the Crown Prince. Most of the weapons that our Joseon army is using now have gone through your hands. Therefore, before you take my place, finish developing the weapons that will support the future of the Joseon army. No, at least you must create things that can replace long guns, Hwacha, and Shotgun. And you should at least set the direction for the rest as well.”

“I will obey your command!”

Hyang answered in a loud voice at Sejong’s command.

‘Jihwaja! My wallet is wide open! I’m going to do a lasting deed in history!’

And everyone who heard Hyang’s answer simultaneously thought the same thing.

‘He’s excited.’

And the historian who recorded all of this added the following.

-… So the King ordered the development of weapons in preparation for the upcoming war, and the Crown Prince responded with a loud voice.

The historian says.

There is no doubt that the Crown Prince has a lot of interest in weapons and has made great contributions to the development of new weapons. Since the King has promised definite support, it is certain that weapons that will be remembered in history will be born.

But, to be honest. Weapon development is the Crown Prince’s hobby. The most enjoyable thing in the world is to enjoy a hobby without worrying about money, I’m jealous.

* * *

The analysis and inspection related to the battle in Liaodong was over, but the court had no time to rest.

This was because the analysis and inspection of various policies and Eombeo [covert operations] conducted in Shinji continued.

While the court officials, as well as the native officials from Shinji, were walking around with tired faces, Sejong dropped a bombshell.

The ‘greatest legal dispute since the Gyeongjang [political reform]’ had broken out.