Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 273

273. Hamheung Haenggung (1)

“Your Majesty! We have achieved a great victory!”

“Has news finally arrived?”

Sejong, who was reviewing a report from Hanseong [present-day Seoul], asked with delight at Choi Yun-deok’s shout.

“Yes, Your Majesty! News has arrived! It is a great victory!”

Choi Yun-deok handed over Yi Sun-mong’s report to the eunuch. Sejong received the report through the eunuch, unrolled the scroll, and read its contents.

As Sejong read the contents written on the scroll, his expression gradually brightened.

After reading the entire report, Sejong leaned back against the chair and took a long breath.

“Hoo~. Finally, we have relieved the biggest concern in the north!”

“That is correct!”

“Where are their heads?”

“They are in the courtyard.”

At Choi Yun-deok’s words, Sejong rose from his seat and went outside.

In the inner courtyard of Hamheung Haenggung [a detached palace], long wooden planks were lined up on the floor, and dozens of severed heads were placed on the wooden planks.

“These are from the family of Muantu, and these are from the family of Yimanjeu.”

“Is Muantu’s face a bit of a mess?”

“We found him dead on the battlefield.”

“Is that so?”

As Sejong examined the severed heads while listening to Choi Yun-deok’s explanation, he noticed something peculiar.

While the heads of those belonging to the Odoli tribe, including Muantu, had many wounds, the heads of Yimanjeu’s family had fewer such injuries. In particular, Yimanjeu’s head was in very good condition.

‘Compared to Yimanjeu, Muantu’s power was said to be extremely small….’

Sejong recalled the records that had been submitted before the war and the contents of the reports after the war broke out, and muttered softly.

“Were they used as arrow fodder because their share was small….”

“Your Majesty?”

When Choi Yun-deok expressed his doubt at Sejong’s murmur, Sejong pointed to the heads of the Muantu clan.

“Seeing that their heads are severely damaged, it seems that most of them were in the thick of the battlefield.”

“According to the report, that is correct.”

“Hmm….”

Sejong examined the heads silently and then turned his body.

“Another reason has arisen why our Joseon must become stronger.”

“Your Majesty?”

“If the country’s power is weak, it will become food for strong countries, and if it is mediocre, it will become arrow fodder like that Muantu, wouldn’t it?”

“That is true.”

Choi Yun-deok nodded immediately at Sejong’s words, but he was slightly worried.

What the king was saying now was the right path. However, there was a limit to how far one should go on the right path. If all the nation’s power was poured into national defense, then it would not be the right path but the path of hegemony, and it would become tyranny.

Returning to the main hall of the Haenggung, Sejong continued.

“Even if we don’t need the power to bully others, shouldn’t we at least be able to prevent others from bullying us?”

“Your words are wise!”

Choi Yun-deok answered loudly, relieved.

“How are the preparations for the soldiers’ victory parade going?”

“Yes. We are preparing step by step.”

“Please ensure everything is perfect.”

This was a battle in which Joseon projected its power externally with all its might since the conquest of Tsushima Island. Unlike the lukewarm conquest of Tsushima Island, this conquest ended in a great victory.

The plan was to widely publicize this to boost the morale of the people and, at the same time, warn the surrounding Jurchen tribes not to act recklessly.

“Your Majesty, here is the expenditure report. And this is the budget for the veterans’ policy for those who died or became disabled in this conquest and their families. And this is the consumption of war expenses confirmed until today.”

Sejong received the reports from the young official belonging to the General Staff and checked the numbers written in the reports with a serious face.

“Are these numbers accurate?”

Sejong’s voice trembled as he asked the official. The official answered with a slightly troubled face to Sejong’s question.

“These are numbers that have been verified at least three times.”

After confirming the numbers, Sejong sighed deeply.

“Hoo~. There will be a commotion in Hanseong. The Crown Prince will have a hard time.”

Sejong, thinking of Hyang who was suffering in Hanseong, looked south with a gloomy face.

“Was I entrusting him with too much of a burden?”

* * *

As Sejong worried, Hyang was having a fierce argument in Hanseong.

However, the opponent Hyang was arguing with was always the same person.

It was Kim Jeom, the Minister of Finance.

As the conquest progressed, Hyang and Kim Jeom continued to argue over the enormous war expenses, and watching the spectacle was the main daily routine for the other ministers.

* * *

“War expenses are high.”

At the words of Kim Jeom, the Minister of Finance, Hyang replied with an unavoidable expression.

“Isn’t war a major event, so it can’t be helped?”

At Hyang’s words, Kim Jeom sighed deeply.

“Hoo~. Still, the war expenses were higher than expected. The artillery part is the most severe.”

“Gunpowder is a bit expensive.”

Hyang, who was answering, had a bitter taste in his mouth.

* * *

As the center of battle shifted from swords and spears to artillery, the consumption of gunpowder greatly increased.

However, gunpowder was by no means a cheap item.

Gunpowder required large quantities of sulfur and saltpeter, which were difficult to obtain in Joseon.

To solve this, Sejong and the court had to do their best.

In the case of sulfur, Joseon found several mines, but they had extremely poor profitability. Therefore, mining was only carried out in two mines with relatively better profitability, and the rest had to be imported from Japan. Fortunately, the new Japanese merchants who came to the Japanese trading post cooperated well, so it was steadily coming in, but it was still an expensive item.

In the case of saltpeter, it was being supplied by creating and operating saltpeter fields in pastures throughout Joseon, but it was still insufficient.

In particular, the problem with this saltpeter was serious. Saltpeter and nitric acid (硝酸, 질산) [a key ingredient in gunpowder] made from saltpeter were essential for the existing black gunpowder, Gapsik gunpowder, as well as the improved brown gunpowder, Eulsik gunpowder, explosive oil (爆油, nitroglycerin) [a powerful explosive], explosive silver (爆銀, mercury fulminate) [a detonator], and Deokgapsik gunpowder. In short, there was no item with the word “explosive” (爆) that did not contain saltpeter.

Therefore, Hyang was planning to send Hae-eung to India as soon as he filled the quota. There were rumors that the neighboring country of Ming also had saltpeter production sites, but like the case of gakgung (角弓) [composite bow] – the export of cow horns (牛角, 쇠뿔) [used in the bow’s construction] was prohibited – Ming did not like Joseon’s military power being strengthened.

And in the case of sulfur, he was considering Hokkaido.

“There was a famous sulfur hot spring in Hokkaido, right?”

Hyang, who was worried about the supply of sulfur, also worried while looking at Mount Baekdu marked on the map.

“That place is also a volcano…. There’s no way there wouldn’t be sulfur….”

* * *

Kim Jeom continued to pressure Hyang over the consumption of war expenses.

“Looking at this conquest, the amount of gunpowder consumed during the conquest period of only 20 days is enormous. We have exhausted the gunpowder materials that we had been collecting for the past two years! The amount collected for two years!”

“…”

At Kim Jeom’s words, Hyang and the ministers had no choice but to shut their mouths.

In the first year of Sejong’s reign, the Military Supplies Command submitted a memorial to Sejong.

-The amount of saltpeter (焰焇) currently in the military depot is 3,316 geun (approximately 2,100 kg) [a geun is a Korean unit of weight], but the amount of saltpeter consumed in one year is 4,000 geun (approximately 2,400 kg). Additional manufacturing is required.

As the reforms progressed, the production of gunpowder continued to increase, but Joseon still did not have sufficient gunpowder reserves.

* * *

“So, what does the Minister think we should do?”

At Hyang’s question, Kim Jeom answered immediately.

“I think it would be good to reduce live-fire training conducted by the military.”

“Impossible.”

“Your Highness!”

When Hyang immediately rejected it, Kim Jeom raised his voice.

However, Hyang did not budge from his decision.

“Has the Minister forgotten the disgraceful behavior the soldiers showed when Gapsik muskets were first distributed in large quantities?”

“That is….”

At Hyang’s question, Kim Jeom became embarrassed.

* * *

Through the demonstration held in Area 51, the adoption of the Gapsik musket was decided, and the mass-produced Gapsik muskets were supplied to the Naegeumwi [Royal Guards], the Five Military Commands, and the Gyeonggi Garrison.

In the first training session held by the Naegeumwi with the Gapsik muskets supplied in that way, even the Naegeumwi soldiers, who were called the best elite soldiers of Joseon, were startled by the explosion of the muskets they fired and showed a flustered appearance.

* * *

Hyang continued to explain the reason why it was impossible.

“Soldiers who handle muskets and artillery must be familiar with the explosions produced by the weapons they handle in order to fight properly in real battles. And the same goes for the warhorses they ride. And wasn’t that effect proven in this conquest?”

“I acknowledge that, but I’m just saying to reduce the number a bit.”

Hyang immediately clicked his tongue at Kim Jeom’s words.

“Tsk!”

As soon as Hyang clicked his tongue, Kim Jeom flinched.

‘Ugh! That tongue-clicking sound!’

Hyang, who clicked his tongue with a look of contempt, glared at Kim Jeom.

“Reduce it to only 10 shots per soldier per month? Do you think we can record the same achievements as this time with that kind of training?”

“If there is only will….”

“If we can win with will alone, can we go out with just a branch instead of a sword and spear and win? Or will the Minister wipe out 100,000 troops alone?”

“…”

At Hyang’s sarcasm, Kim Jeom’s mouth immediately closed. Kim Jeom’s face turned bright red, but he had nothing to say.

‘Ugh! If he were my grandson, I would break his legs right away….’

Kim Jeom ground his teeth inwardly and presented another plan.

“Muskets and artillery are like that. But the Singijeon [a type of Korean rocket arrow] must be retired for sure!”

“Isn’t there an achievement?”

“The amount of gunpowder consumption is too high compared to the achievement!”

This time, Hyang closed his mouth.

As Kim Jeom pointed out, the amount of gunpowder consumed by Singijeon was enormous. Of course, it achieved its own achievements, but it was inferior compared to the amount of gunpowder that went in.

Kim Jeom pointed out the problem of Singijeon by comparing it to Bigyeokjincheonleoi [a type of Korean bomb].

“Bigyeokjincheonleoi also consumes a lot of gunpowder, but its achievements are incomparable to Singijeon! Therefore, Singijeon must be retired!”

In the end, Hyang waved the white flag.

“I think there are some things to consider in that part, so let’s review it.”

* * *

After processing a few more items, a break time followed.

The other ministers expressed doubts at the sight of Kim Jeom coming out of the Donggungjeon [Crown Prince’s residence], humming lightly.

“No, Minister. Is there anything good going on?”

“Ah! I feel good because I achieved the goal I wanted.”

“The goal you wanted?”

At Kim Jeom’s words, the ministers rummaged through their memories, but there was nothing special other than the part where he was pushed back by Hyang’s words.

Meng Sa-seong, who had been rummaging through his memories for a while, turned to Kim Jeom with surprised eyes.

“Could it be Singijeon?”

“There is a saying that it is a feint to the east and attack to the west, right? Hahaha!”

Kim Jeom laughed coolly and walked away.

Meanwhile, in the Donggungjeon, Hyang scratched his head and muttered.

“I think I’ve been had….”

Kim Jeom, who enjoyed his nap and returned in a good mood, grabbed the back of his neck after seeing the report from Hamheung.

“A victory parade? A victory parade!”

* * *

“It may seem like an excessive expenditure now, but let’s think about the future.”

When Hyang spoke to Kim Jeom, who looked like he was about to run to Hamheung right away, Kim Jeom shouted.

“Your Highness! The future! It will be a problem if this kind of victory parade becomes a custom!”

Meng Sa-seong intervened at Kim Jeom’s words.

“Wouldn’t it also be a problem if wars were so frequent that victory parades became a custom?”

“That’s right.”

Heo Jo took over Meng Sa-seong’s words.

“According to the report, His Majesty has summoned all the chiefs of the nearby Jurchen tribes to this victory parade. If we show them the might of our Joseon army, will they try to do things recklessly in the future? The future that Your Highness is talking about will be this part.”

“You saw it right away.”

Hyang, who responded to Heo Jo’s words, explained further.

“Through the victory parade, the Jurchens will see the strength of our Joseon army with their own eyes. If that happens, they will trade instead of looting, and may even submit. If that happens, wouldn’t we save more money than conquering every time?”

At Hyang’s words, Kim Jeom sighed deeply.

“Hoo~. I understand.”

Kim Jeom, who stepped back, gritted his teeth inwardly.

‘I’ll kill them all if they don’t bring back the spoils properly!’