There Is No Sejong In My Joseon [EN]: Chapter 277

Since Grand Prince Chungnyeong helped create nitroglycerin, the Military Supplies Bureau had been experiencing unprecedentedly busy days.

Correspondingly, Choi Hae-san’s worries also increased day by day.

‘How can they waste precious secret materials on making gunpowder!’

He could easily dismiss the officials’ criticisms whispered behind his back, but His Majesty’s expectations were growing daily.

‘We’ve developed new gunpowder, so how about trying to make fulminate of mercury this time?’

‘Fulminate of mercury…?’

‘Ah, I haven’t explained how to make it, have I?’

As always, Choi Hae-san had to quickly write down the words that His Majesty uttered, though he had no idea where the knowledge originated.

Since it was an imperial order, he had to begin research and development. Missing even one word would only increase the amount of trial and error.

Fortunately, he was an expert in gunpowder, so Choi Hae-san barely managed to achieve completion this time as well.

His Majesty had repeatedly warned him that it was extremely dangerous. Choi Hae-san, watching the experimentally made fulminate of mercury from a safe distance, pondered.

‘But who should I report this to?’

Logically, he should report it to His Majesty, who had entrusted him with the task.

However, Choi Hae-san remembered the story that Hwang Hee had repeatedly told him.

‘Clearly, if you’re not careful, it could end up driving a wedge between the two princes.’

If the Retired King requested military power and he only reported to His Majesty, it could be seen as a disrespectful attitude towards the Retired King’s authority.

Remembering Hwang Hee’s advice not to offend the Retired King’s sensibilities even slightly, Choi Hae-san headed to Sugang Palace, which had just been completed.

“Fulminate of mercury…?”

The Retired King Yi Bang-won, who had moved to Sugang Palace, tilted his head at Choi Hae-san’s report.

“You’re saying you made it using expensive mercury? What is this for?”

“That is…”

The report meticulously transcribed the experimental results, but Yi Bang-won still looked like he didn’t understand it well even while holding it.

Choi Hae-san couldn’t start lecturing Yi Bang-won here, so he could only answer.

“His Majesty ordered it.”

Yi Bang-won, who had been cautiously watching to see if his subordinates were doing ridiculous things under the pretext of development, closed the report with that one word.

“His Majesty? Oh, I see.”

Yi Bang-won nodded and continued.

“You should discuss such matters with His Majesty.”

‘If that’s the case, why did you tell me to report to the Retired King?’

Choi Hae-san wore an expression of utter dismay.

From Yi Bang-won’s perspective, receiving the report first was a display of his political power. But from the perspective of the working-level staff, whose workload had only increased unnecessarily, it was nothing but hardship.

Thus, when Choi Hae-san trudged to Changdeok Palace and entered His Majesty’s residence.

His Majesty was standing there, and the Queen, kneeling in front of him, was retching.

“Ugh…”

I’ve seen something I shouldn’t have!

Choi Hae-san’s mind went blank, and he imagined himself being beheaded for daring to witness the King and Queen’s private moment.

“Your Majesty, I will come back later!”

===

“…This subject has seen nothing.”

“It’s a misunderstanding, a misunderstanding, I tell you!”

He had been lying down, resting his head on Ju So-hwa’s lap, when his wife suddenly showed an abnormal reaction when he got up to greet Choi Hae-san, who was being announced.

At first, he wondered if she had eaten something wrong, but fortunately, it was just simple morning sickness.

‘No, should I say fortunately?’

He was quite used to being a father, but even Dan-i alone was overwhelming.

‘This is all because of Ahn Gyeon!’

Calculating the dates, it was clear that it had happened that day [when he received the suggestive book].

He should have burned all those wicked books.

Compared to Great Prince Hyoryeong and Grand Prince Chungnyeong’s families, where a nephew was born every year, it was relatively good(?), but were children originally born this easily?

I stared at Choi Hae-san while organizing my complicated thoughts.

This guy has made an already complicated situation even more twisted.

“Your Majesty?”

“Ahem, what did they say at Sugang Palace?”

However, I decided not to show my annoyance.

‘I’m a cool king, after all.’

In fact, getting angry about this kind of issue would only create a strange atmosphere.

“They said to ask His Majesty about matters of gunpowder and weapons.”

“Hmm, I knew it.”

I knew it would be like that.

Seeing Choi Hae-san’s eyes narrowing, I felt sorry for making him run errands like a dog, but I had to save the Retired King’s face.

‘It would be fine if he were completely a figurehead like my granduncle, but my father isn’t.’

“However, they seem to have doubts about the cost.”

Indirect exchanges of opinions like this also have their advantages.

I looked at Choi Hae-san and asked.

“What is your opinion?”

“It certainly has its advantages in many ways, but since the price of mercury is not cheap, I wonder if there is a reason to use fulminate of mercury,” he said.

Even the matchlock [an early type of firearm] was an unprecedented new weapon in this era, so it was understandable that even Choi Hae-san was taking a conservative stance.

Having already matchlocks, there was no need to embark on the development of expensive new weapons.

“What are the disadvantages of the matchlock?”

“Well, it’s slower to reload than a bow…”

“It can’t be used well on windy or rainy days.”

To compensate for this, the Training Command and others seem to be attaching small umbrellas to the ignition port as a temporary measure, but it is questionable whether it will be effective in actual combat.

“What if the enemy exploits these shortcomings?”

The core of the Training Command is the musketeers who pour firepower on the enemy.

After several engagements, the enemy won’t be fools, so they will try to explore the strengths and weaknesses.

Thinking that way, even though mercury is expensive, it is meaningful in that it can compensate for the shortcomings of the matchlock.

The commoner secret material factories densely packed outside the capital can all be converted into gunpowder factories in case of emergency.

Considering that, if fulminate of mercury production is sufficient, it seemed that the armaments of the entire army could be fully equipped sooner than expected.

After raising the tech a bit more, we’ll have to start developing detonators using lead azide, but this will be enough for now.

‘In the meantime, we’ll have to work hard to import mercury.’

Fortunately, mercury is just expensive and not exactly a strategic material.

We have plenty of money, so let’s contact every country we have tentacles in and try to suck up mercury.

‘Within a few years, we might be able to arm at least the Training Command with new guns.’

Even so, we can’t just throw away all the matchlocks used in the Training Command, which is the central army, so they will probably be pushed to the local army and the northern army.

‘If that happens, the biggest problem will be security.’

The tribute we offer is only Seungja Chongtong [a type of Korean hand cannon].

The Ming Dynasty knows it as ‘matchlock,’ but unless we strictly control it, it’s only a matter of time before real matchlocks, not Seungja Chongtong, flow into the Ming Dynasty.

Thinking that way, goosebumps rose.

The only reason security was being maintained was because only the central army, which was easy to control directly, was operating matchlocks.

Based on rumors heard from afar, it was even difficult to distinguish it from the Seungja Chongtong we were offering as tribute.

But what if the actual matchlock is leaked?

It wouldn’t be difficult for the Ming Dynasty to replicate the matchlock with its technology.

The concept is the problem, but the technology will find its direction if you pour some resources into it.

Especially since the Ming Dynasty can pour in infinite resources compared to Joseon.

‘Seungja Chongtong is an excellent hand cannon, but it’s just a hand cannon.’

The Ming Dynasty seems to be using it well during the Mongol expeditions, but strictly speaking, it only plays a supporting role as a squad support weapon.

But what if matchlocks leak out and the Ming Dynasty forms a million-strong army composed of musketeers?

‘That’s terrible.’

Moreover, unlike the crazy later generations, isn’t this the heyday of the Ming Dynasty?

I can’t help but worry because the emperor of the Ming Dynasty is a human who thinks that the whole world is his lackey.

‘But if I just leave it in the warehouse, the officials might make a fuss about why I’m doing such a wasteful thing.’

I wish my nephew-in-law, not the current Emperor, was on the throne, then I wouldn’t have to worry about this.

‘Thinking that way, Emperor Yongle is a very unique person.’

Most Chinese emperors seem to have their eyes only on the country rather than the outside, due to abundant resources and economic power.

‘The four seas are barbarians, and there is nothing missing in the Central Plains, so there is no need to pay attention to the outside.’

Emperor Yongle, on the other hand, is the kind of person who can only feel at ease when all the barbarians of the four seas are under his feet.

Giving a matchlock to such a person is the same as giving fire to a playful child.

It means he will set fire everywhere.

‘I wonder if there are any problems with domestic affairs.’

Emperor Yongle’s biggest concern is foreign affairs.

He is sending troops everywhere in a military-first policy, so it wouldn’t be strange if an average country would collapse on its own.

‘Well, I guess we’re not in a position to worry.’

The Ming Dynasty is a country that is incomparable to Joseon, so they will take care of it themselves.

===

“News has come from Wang Ho?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Wang Ho, a spy sent from the Ming Dynasty through Princess Bokyeong Jang, Ju So-hwa.

Unlike Yoo-jeong, who unfortunately died in an accident, Wang Ho was diligently sending news, aiming for the gaps when envoys visited Joseon.

However, the news that Wang Ho occasionally sent through weak ties was close to trivial.

It was just trivial news about how Ju So-hwa was having a hard time raising the Crown Prince, so the eunuchs of the Eastern Depot were dumbfounded, wondering why he only wrote down such nonsense.

“Unlike the Ming Dynasty, Joseon is not a country where the power of eunuchs is so strong. Hearing news of the Queen like this makes me feel at ease.”

Emperor Yongle, who was the person receiving the information, was satisfied, so they couldn’t say anything.

From his sister’s point of view, her brother’s love may be burdensome.

“And perhaps…”

Emperor Yongle paused for a moment and asked.

“Is there any talk about secret materials?”

“Yes, Your Majesty. Fortunately, many secret materials have been produced this time, so it is written that the tribute can be doubled.”

“Yes, yes. This is what family is all about.”

Now, he was just saying that he should grease the Emperor in advance in case he didn’t know, but Emperor Yongle only saw it as very admirable.

Thanks to his relaxed mind, Emperor Yongle even showed generosity in sharing secret materials with others.

“Give the secret materials that are coming in this time to the Great-Grandson, and also distribute them to Prince Zhao.”

The Great-Grandson is the foundation of the country, and originally Emperor Yongle’s beloved grandson, so that’s understandable, but giving this precious secret material to his son was unlike him.

That’s how much Emperor Yongle’s affection for Prince Zhao, Ju Gosu, had grown.

That was also because Prince Zhao’s conduct was in contrast to Prince Han, Ju Gohyu, who had been expelled some time ago.

Prince Han had angered Emperor Yongle by arbitrarily gathering private soldiers in the capital and beating officials to death.

In addition, circumstances were revealed that he used the Emperor’s belongings and compared himself to Emperor Taizong of Tang [a famous Chinese emperor] – Emperor Taizong of Tang killed his brother and drove out his father before ascending to the throne – so it was an undeniable rebellion.

At first, Emperor Yongle tried to kill him, but the Crown Prince, his older brother, begged his father instead, so he was spared his life and finished by being exiled to his fief.

Even this would be said that Emperor Yongle had raised his children well, but there was still one more son left with rebellious intentions.

End

ⓒ Pitkong