Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 249

249. Where Did Those Papers Go?

Challenger and Haeung were completed, but Hyang didn’t stop designing new ships.

“It’s impossible to cross the Pacific with the Challenger. Of course, we could create enough supply bases in all directions, but considering issues like resource transport, we need a bigger ship. If we start building only when it’s urgent, the gap will be closed by others. We need to prepare in advance.”

Thinking about the future, he emphasized the need, and Hyang persuaded Sejong about it.

“…Therefore, I think we should at least create a design and a scaled-down model. If the opportunity arises, it would be good to build one ship on a trial basis.”

At Hyang’s explanation, Sejong and the ministers looked at him with suspicious eyes.

‘The reason is plausible…’

Sejong, looking at Hyang with a dubious face, examined the report that Hyang had submitted.

“A proposal regarding the development of new cannons?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“Why suddenly new cannons again?”

“I learned from the Huahui people [Chinese Muslims] who trade with us that they and Westerners also use cannons like us.”

At Hyang’s words, Sejong and the ministers nodded.

“If they have knowledge of gunpowder, they can make cannons. But why do we need to make new cannons? Didn’t they buy cannons from us because they didn’t have them?”

At Sejong’s question, Hyang explained the reason.

“That’s because the Huahui people and the Westerners don’t have small cannons like the ones we in Joseon use.”

“Small?”

At Hyang’s words, the expressions of Sejong and the ministers changed slightly. Joseon’s cannons were the pride of Joseon, making even the Wokou [Japanese pirates] and Jurchens crawl. The crown prince calling them ‘small’ slightly hurt the pride of Sejong and the ministers.

Even while watching the reactions of Sejong and the ministers, Hyang continued to speak.

“Even if we look at the largest cannon in Joseon, the General Cannon, the weight of the General Cannon made before the improvement is 104 *geun* and 10 *liang* (about 67.2kg) [A *geun* is a Korean unit of weight, approximately 600 grams; a *liang* is a smaller unit]. In the case of the newly made Eulshik General Cannon through improvement, it is 140 *geun* (about 85kg). However, the siege stone cannons used by the Westerners weigh more than 11,000 *geun* (about 6.6 tons).” (Note 2)

“10,000!”

“It’s 11,000 *geun*. Of course, cannons of this enormous size cannot be loaded onto a ship. However, if they are familiar with such large cannons, the cannons loaded on ships will also be quite large and powerful.”

“That’s right.”

“And if the Westerners, who are still busy fighting with the Huahui people and fighting among themselves, can safely operate such cannons, they will create battle lines that can withstand the attacks of such cannons.”

At Hyang’s point, Sejong and the ministers nodded with serious faces.

In Sejong and the ministers’ opinion, Hyang’s words were reasonable.

This was because Joseon had also tested the defensive power against cannons while newly creating Panokseon [a type of Korean warship], Challenger, and Haeung-class battleships.

If the Westerners had any sense, they would definitely load cannons on the battleships, and those cannons would definitely be quite large even if they were miniaturized. And to win in the battle between battleships equipped with such cannons, the defensive power would definitely be considerable.

Listening to Hyang’s explanation, Sejong, who was worried about this and that, looked at Hyang.

‘But it’s too suspicious…’

“So, how much time do you need for development?”

“The more funds are invested, the more time…”

Hyang, who was continuing to speak with excitement, subtly changed his course as Sejong’s expression gradually became fierce.

“There are limits to the finances of the court, and the research institute also has limits in budget and manpower… I expect about 5 years for ships and about 10 years for cannons.”

“Hmm…”

Sejong stroked his beard and glared at Hyang.

‘No matter how I think about it, I’m confused. Is that guy doing this for the future of Joseon, or is he doing it for his own pleasure…’

However, there was not enough justification to reject Hyang’s plan.

This was because the need for large and powerful battleships and cargo ships was increasing as trade increased.

In addition, there was also intelligence that the Ming Dynasty, which had heard various rumors about Joseon’s cannons, had also begun to improve its cannons.

* * *

Thinking that it was necessary to quickly obtain information about the Ming Dynasty, Hyang persuaded Sejong to plant a royal merchant group in the Sangguan [a type of trading post] created in Shandong. On the surface, the royal merchant group was indistinguishable from a general merchant group. However, internally, its mission was to recruit Ming merchants who had connections with high-ranking officials in Beijing and obtain rumors coming out of the Ming Dynasty court.

According to the intelligence received through the royal merchant group in Shandong, information from the very few Jurchen survivors who barely survived the battle with the Joseon army and Ming merchants who saw the battle between the Joseon navy and pirates was entering the Ming Dynasty court.

Thus, the Ming Dynasty court, which had obtained the information, had also begun to improve its cannons.

According to the information conveyed by the royal merchant group, there were officials who suggested receiving cannons from Joseon as tribute. Emperor Xuanzong was furious at the suggestions of such officials.

“Foolish guys! What if we use cannons received from Joseon like that and the road to Joseon is blocked?”

“Then you should send artisans…”

“Have you forgotten the old story of the Thousand Step Crossbow from the old days! Are the guys living in that Samhan land [ancient Korean kingdoms] easy guys! How can such foolish guys be officials!”

Hyang reported to Sejong that many officials were severely punished and expelled from the government by the angry Emperor Xuanzong.

“When I talked to the emperor, I felt that he was not ordinary.”

“Is that so? But wouldn’t you be better?”

At Sejong’s words, Hyang smiled and bowed his head.

“That’s an excessive compliment.”

At Hyang’s answer, Sejong muttered softly.

“Did it sound like a compliment?”

“Yes? What did you say? I didn’t hear you well.”

When Hyang expressed his doubts, Sejong turned his head and continued to speak.

“I complimented you. I complimented you.”

However, Sangseon, who was standing nearby, knew Sejong’s true feelings.

* * *

Even if the Westerners were put aside, it was worrying that the Ming Dynasty had also begun to improve its cannons. The problem was not simply that the power of the Ming army was getting stronger, but that those weapons could be leaked to the Wokou or pirates.

There was a high possibility that they would be leaked due to being looted in battle, but the biggest threat was the Ming merchants. If the Ming merchants, for whom only making profits was the most important thing, were to hand over the cannons to the Wokou or pirates, it was highly likely.

‘In the end, no matter what, there is only one answer.’

Sejong had no choice but to come to a conclusion with a bitter smile.

“I will allow it. Proceed with the research as long as it does not put a strain on the finances of the court and the research institute.”

“I obey your command.”

The historian who recorded all of this added the following.

-…Therefore, His Majesty allowed the development of new cannons and battleships.

The historian argues.

Looking at the current situation, enormous wealth is being spent for national defense. However, we cannot neglect national defense, so it is inevitable.

Is it a pipe dream for all people in the world to communicate with each other without conflict?

* * *

Because Sejong’s order was issued, Hyang immediately began designing.

The first thing he thought about was how far to proceed.

After thinking about this and that, Hyang soon came to a conclusion.

“Let’s leave out the line-of-battle ship. The cost-effectiveness is too bad.”

The line-of-battle ship was generally called the final boss of combat sailing ships, but it was not an attractive existence in terms of cost-effectiveness.

Looking at the three elements of attack, defense, and mobility, the attack power and defense power were the best, but the mobility was the problem.

Therefore, even in the era when line-of-battle ships were the flower of naval battles, frigates, which were smaller and faster, were the main force in mobile operations.

However, line-of-battle ships had to continue to exist due to the problem that only line-of-battle ships could deal with line-of-battle ships.

However, Hyang had a countermeasure for this problem. It was cannons and shells.

“If we improve the cannons, no, the shells well, the line-of-battle ship will just become a big target.”

In the end, the final evolutionary form of combat sailing ships that Hyang thought the Joseon navy would use was the heavy frigate used by the United States.

“Next, we need to install an engine.”

Hyang wrote ‘Heavy Frigate’, ‘Engine’, and ‘Ironclad Ship’ on a piece of paper and circled them. Hyang, who raised his head to cool his head for a while, shouted lightly and hit his forehead.

“Ah!”

“Your Highness, what’s wrong?”

At Hyang’s voice, the eunuch outside rushed in.

“It’s nothing. Get out.”

Hyang, who sent the eunuch out, scribbled ‘Clock, Chronometer’ on the paper with a gold pen.

“I forgot an important issue. I guess I should call Jang Yeong-sil [a famous Joseon inventor] about this issue?”

Hyang, who had come to a conclusion, dipped the gold pen in ink and drew lines on the letters written on the paper. Not only that, Hyang put a lot of ink on the brush and painted over it. Hyang, looking at the paper covered with ink, grumbled in a small voice.

“How long do I have to do this? Should I slowly lay the groundwork with Father? Or should I pretend to be crazy and shout ‘We need our own letters!’ in front of the officials?”

Hyang was getting tired of repeatedly writing in Chinese characters and then erasing them after writing them in Hangeul [the Korean alphabet].

* * *

That night, when Hyang entered the bedroom, the eunuchs moved. In Hyang’s study in Donggung Palace [the Crown Prince’s residence], the research institute, and Hyang’s office in Area 51, the eunuchs emptied the trash cans and cleaned.

“It’s done.”

“What’s the quantity?”

At the question of the veteran eunuch, the eunuch lifted the bucket he was holding and showed the inside.

“There are fewer today. Take it there.”

The eunuchs who received the order headed to Gangnyeongjeon [the King’s main residence].

The eunuchs who arrived at Gangnyeongjeon turned the corner and entered the back door of Gangnyeongjeon.

The eunuchs who entered through the back door entered a secret room created on one side of Gangnyeongjeon.

“I brought it.”

“Thank you for your hard work. Where is it?”

The eunuch who received the bucket handed over by the eunuchs who entered through the back door took out the papers inside and sorted them. The eunuch, who first selected the papers that were not painted with ink at all, handed the selected papers to the waiting eunuch.

“Send it to Sejibang (Washing Paper Room) [a place in the palace where paper was recycled].”

“Yes.”

Paper was an expensive item, so even in the Joseon palace, Hanji [traditional Korean paper] was washed and recycled. The papers that were selected for the first time now would be moved for that process.

After putting down the papers that had been selected once, the eunuchs carefully sorted them again.

The eunuch, who gathered the Hanji covered with ink in one place and separately gathered the Hwangji [yellow paper, often used for important documents] also covered with ink, ordered the waiting eunuchs.

“Start working.”

“Yes.”

The eunuchs entered the processing stage of the papers that had been sorted.

The Hanji covered with ink were put in a basin filled with water and washed, and then they checked how much of the ink had been removed. If the ink that had been overpainted had been removed to some extent and the letters underneath could be seen, the eunuchs hung the paper on a line to dry. Then, they took the papers that had been worked on the previous day and were finished drying from the line and attached them to a folding screen on one side.

The eunuchs checked the letters written under the ink by shining the Hwangji with a lamp.

“Let’s see… This shape is…”

The eunuchs who checked the shape of the letters visible in the light copied the letters on another piece of paper and then attached them to the folding screen.

* * *

“Is the work all done?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Sejong, who appeared around the time the work was finished, approached the folding screen and examined the papers.

“Hmm, hmm…. Hmm….”

Sejong, nodding with a light hum, looked back at the eunuchs.

“Thank you for your hard work. Go and rest today.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Don’t forget to keep it a secret.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Sejong, who had sent all the eunuchs out, opened another secret door that had been closed.

Inside the secret room, there was a desk, a chair, and a lamp in the center.

However, bookshelves were placed on the remaining two walls, excluding the wall with the window facing outside and the sliding door coming in, and there were books on phonology and grammar books written in Latin, Greek, and other Western languages. And the floor, as well as the empty space on the walls, were full of papers with Hangeul letters and strange symbols that were neither Hangeul nor alphabets.

Sejong, who sat down, turned on the lamp and opened the book.

“Where did I leave off yesterday?”

* * *

Note 1) Joseon’s Weapons and Armor. Written by Min Seung-ki. Garam Planning.

Note 2) Cannons, Sails, and Empires Written by Carlo M. Cipolla. Miji Books.