Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 211

211. Homecoming (4)

As the concentrated fire from the Single-Barreled Cannons annihilated the vanguard, the soldiers hesitated, glancing around nervously.

“This won’t do!”

Sensing the crisis, the head of the Sindwa family shouted at his soldiers.

“The first to cross the gate of the Ottabi family will receive 100 gold coins as a reward! I swear in the name of Allah!”

“Uwaaa!”

At the leader’s words, the soldiers roared again and surged forward. One hundred gold coins was a fortune large enough to live on for life.

The leader continued to encourage his men.

“Charge! Chaaarge! The Ottabi family’s wealth is ours! Charge!”

“The cannons take time to reload! Use that gap! Charge!”

“Uwaaa!”

The soldiers suppressed the fear they had just felt, screaming as they ran.

‘Life is a gamble anyway!’

“Charge! Charge!”

The head of the Sindwa family waved his sword in the air, shouting like a madman.

* * *

“That guy over there, the one shouting on horseback, he looks pretty important. Who is he?”

At Oh Ha-seok’s question, Mansur narrowed his eyes and examined the individual in question.

Mansur stared intently, then gritted his teeth and replied.

“He is the head of the Sindwa family.”

“So, the ringleader of this chaos?”

“That’s right.”

“In that case…”

Oh Ha-seok lifted the Gapshik Single-Barreled Cannon he had placed beside him and aimed.

“Isn’t that too far?”

“It’s enough.”

Oh Ha-seok replied curtly, controlling his breathing.

* * *

“Chief! It’s dangerous!”

“You’ve gone too far forward!”

At the elders’ warnings, the head of the Sindwa family scoffed.

He had moved forward, but he knew he was out of range of arrows.

“Hmph! At this distance, even an elephant couldn’t…”

Taang!

The head of the Sindwa family fell from his horse before he could finish his sentence. At the same time, the sound of a gunshot faintly echoed.

“Chief!”

“Chief!”

The elders of the Sindwa family rushed to their leader’s side in a panic. However, the leader, with a hole in his forehead, had stopped breathing, his eyes wide open.

“Oh, dear…”

“Oh, my…”

As the elders were in a state of shock at the completely unexpected misfortune, a loud explosion was heard again from the plaza.

Kwa Kwang!

In the end, that day’s battle ended in the Sindwa family’s defeat.

The Sindwa family lost almost half of the mobilized forces—over 100 men died, and a similar number were seriously injured—and, to make matters worse, they suffered the fatal loss of their leader.

* * *

As the battle ended in the Sindwa family’s defeat, a storm of blood swept through Aden.

The place where that storm raged was the Sindwa family.

The two families that had joined hands with the Sindwa family attacked them.

With the leader dead without having properly designated a successor, and with more than half of their soldiers lost, the Sindwa family was very tasty prey for them.

In the end, the Sindwa family collapsed less than half a month after losing the battle against the Ottabi family.

The families that devoured the Sindwa family began to take a breather to digest what they had eaten.

Feeling the danger of survival in the rapidly changing situation, the Ottabi, Azram, and Zayed families had no choice but to unite even more firmly.

* * *

“…So, Aden is now split in two. The Azram and Zayed families have moved their bases of operations to be near our family, and they are even building a defensive wall around the three families.”

“Is the situation that dangerous?”

At Hassan’s question, Mansur and the elders nodded silently.

Mansur, having moistened his throat with a sip of tea, continued.

“That’s why we need cannons. It would be good to get large cannons, but we need to acquire even the type of cannons we got last time in large quantities. Those cannons played the biggest role in the last battle.”

Mansur was greatly impressed by the power of the Single-Barreled Cannons using Joran Hwan [a type of gunpowder].

Mansur and the elders were completely captivated by the appeal of gunpowder weapons in the battle against the pirates and in the battle against the Sindwa family.

Hassan, hearing the story, looked troubled.

“I understand the Chief’s words and the family’s crisis, but it’s not an easy task. Those Ming [Chinese dynasty] and Joseon [Korean dynasty] consider cannons to be their most important weapons.”

“I know that well. So, please, let me meet the Crown Prince.”

“The Crown Prince, Your Highness?”

At Hassan’s question, Mansur nodded.

“If I can persuade the Crown Prince, wouldn’t I be able to persuade Hwa-do as well?”

“Hoo…”

At Mansur’s words, Hassan let out a long sigh.

Hassan, who had been pondering in silence for a long time, opened his mouth.

“Did you give prior notice to the Joseon military officials who accompanied you?”

“I did. But the reaction wasn’t good.”

“That’s probably the case. As I said before, cannons are the most essential weapons.”

“So…”

Hassan interrupted Mansur.

“However, the military official will definitely submit a report on the matter. And His Majesty the King will either call you in immediately or give you an answer. You must wait until then.”

At Hassan’s answer, Mansur raised his voice.

“The possibility of it not working out is high, so I’m asking you to arrange a meeting with the Crown Prince!”

“Meeting the Crown Prince right away could make the situation worse! There was a rebellion in this Joseon last autumn.”

“A rebellion?”

“A rebellion?”

When Hassan mentioned ‘rebellion,’ Mansur and the elders’ faces hardened. Hassan nodded lightly and continued.

“Yes. Local nobles who disregarded His Majesty the King’s authority started a rebellion. The rebellion was thoroughly suppressed, and anything that threatens the royal authority is strictly taboo. But meeting the Crown Prince before His Majesty the King? This is disregarding His Majesty the King’s authority. Even things that could work out won’t.”

“Oh, dear…”

At Hassan’s answer, Mansur and the elders couldn’t hide their disappointment.

For a king, any act that disregards his authority was an unforgivable act. And the prince who would succeed him was also his most powerful competitor.

That was why Mansur and the elders couldn’t hide their regret.

Looking at the faces of Mansur and the elders, Hassan concluded.

“So, focus on trade for now and continue to maintain friendly relations. In the meantime, the military official’s report will be submitted, and an opportunity will surely come.”

“I understand.”

* * *

As Hassan said, the report written by Oh Ha-seok was immediately sent to Sejong [King of Joseon] through the Ministry of War.

The reason it had to be sent up so quickly was because of the battle that had taken place in Aden and the cannons requested by the Ottabi family.

After reading the contents of the report, Sejong ordered the eunuch.

“Go and summon the Crown Prince.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“And you all should read this report.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

By the time the incense arrived, the ministers of the Six Ministries and the Chief State Councilor, except for Jo Mal-saeng, had all reviewed the contents of the report.

“Father, you summoned me?”

“Yes. I called you because I wanted to hear your judgment as well. Let’s read the report first and then talk.”

“Yes.”

* * *

“Hoo…”

Hyang, having quickly read the contents of the report, let out a long sigh and put the report down.

“So, what do you think?”

“I would like to hear the opinions of the ministers.”

At Hyang’s words, Sejong nodded.

“That’s right. That would be the proper course. What are your thoughts?”

The first to answer Sejong’s question was Heo Jo.

“I believe that the sale of cannons should be prevented. Cannons are important weapons of our Joseon. Selling them to foreigners would do more harm than good.”

No sooner had Heo Jo finished speaking than Kim Jeom stepped forward.

“I believe that cannons should be sold. They are important trading partners for us.”

At Kim Jeom’s words, Heo Jo flared up.

“Look here, Minister of Taxation! No matter how important a trading partner they are, there is a limit to what we should do! Cannons cross that line! And we have Ming and Wa [Japan] as trading partners as well!”

Kim Jeom immediately countered Heo Jo’s words.

“Considering the increasing productivity of our Joseon, there are limits to what we can do with just Ming and Wa! We need more and more trading countries!”

Kim Jeom, having refuted Heo Jo’s words, immediately reported to Sejong.

“Your Majesty! The commerce and industry of our Joseon are growing larger and larger! If we think about the future of our Joseon, we must grow that size even more, but there are limits to what we can do with Ming and Wa!”

“What is the reason for that?”

At Sejong’s question, Kim Jeom immediately answered.

“I don’t know about Wa, but Ming has many artisans who are on par with our Joseon artisans.”

“That’s true.”

At Kim Jeom’s point, Sejong and the ministers all nodded.

What Joseon could make, Ming could also make.

That was why Hyang had to hook Seondukje [Empress of China].

Looking at the current situation, the only things that Ming could not catch up to without the protection of the plum blossom pattern were glass products and binu (soap).

Of course, there were various gunpowder weapons that Hyang had developed, but these were items that were not sold at all.

Seeing the reactions of Sejong and the ministers, Kim Jeom increasingly put strength into his voice.

“Therefore, our Joseon must grant the request of the Ottabi family. This is absolutely necessary for our Joseon’s future advance into the open seas! Aden, where the Ottabi family is located, will definitely become a necessary place for our Joseon!”

“Absolutely necessary? Why?”

“Because of Alexandria, which Hwa-hoi people [Muslims] and Oh Ha-seok reported on. Alexandria is where the great market is located, where all the large and small merchants of the Western world gather. We must secure Aden to secure the road to Alexandria!”

“Hmm…”

At Kim Jeom’s passionate speech, Sejong nodded.

Hyang, watching the scene from the side, cheered for Kim Jeom in his heart.

‘Good job, our side! Fight, our side! Win, our side!’

“Does the Minister of Taxation see that our Joseon has benefits to gain from advancing that far?”

When Heo Jo pressed again, Kim Jeom instead asked back.

“Has the Minister of War not even heard the rumors? The rumors that the large ships they brought are larger than our Joseon navy’s Panokseon [a type of Korean warship].”

At that time, the largest ship in Joseon was the Panokseon that Hyang had modified.

At Kim Jeom’s question, Heo Jo trailed off.

“I have heard it, but…”

As Heo Jo hesitated, Kim Jeom charged in again.

“Our Ministry of Taxation officials have directly seen and confirmed it. Minister of War! Think about it! Would merchants who pursue profits have made such large ships without any calculation?”

At Kim Jeom’s point, Heo Jo had no choice but to shut his mouth.

Kim Jeom, having silenced Heo Jo, once again bowed to Sejong and reported.

“I, Kim Jeom, Minister of Taxation! Report to Your Majesty! Aden is a valuable port for our Joseon ships to head to. It is best if those who are friendly to us secure this valuable port! Therefore, please allow the sale of cannons to the Ottabi family!”

Not long after Kim Jeom finished speaking, the Minister of Rites opened his mouth.

“The Minister of Taxation’s words are not wrong, but considering the power of cannons, we should not give them away carelessly. I think it would be better to sell Gapshik Single-Barreled Cannons instead.”

“Gapshik Single-Barreled Cannons are not allowed! If it has to be a cannon, then the Single-Barreled Cannon is the only answer!”

No sooner had the Minister of Rites finished speaking than Hyang opposed it.

“Why is that?”

“Yes, why is that? The Single-Barreled Cannon is only a cannon in name, isn’t it closer to a hwapo [Korean fire arrow]?”

When even Sejong asked the reason, Hyang answered.

“Cannons are as large as their power. Therefore, you can see them from afar and prepare for them. However, Gapshik Single-Barreled Cannons and Horseback Cannons are small in size and easy to hide, so if you make a mistake, you can suffer even greater damage than with cannons.”

“Secondly, cannons are difficult to make. Cannons are also difficult to make, but not as much as hwapo. That means that Gapshik Single-Barreled Cannons can flow to opponents we don’t want.”

“But the Gapshik Single-Barreled Cannon you made is useless without a breech, isn’t it?”

“Even without a breech, can’t you insert a fuse and use it?”

Hyang did not bend his opposition to the end.

‘Why are AKs and RPG-7s a headache!’

The weapons that brought defeat to the Soviet Union and the United States, which divided the world in the late 20th century, and made the regular armies suffer in the 21st century, were not state-of-the-art weapons.

They were the AK rifle and the RPG-7, which were easy to hide and easy to make.