Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 417

While Myeong suffered from body aches, Hyang was a whirlwind of activity, driven by an order from Sejong.

The order was simple, yet challenging:

– “Create a rifle with superior performance to the rifles currently in use.”

– “However, keep the budget to a minimum.”

“There are answers to the budget problem. More than a few countries have struggled with similar issues,” Hyang mused.

Hyang wasn’t overly concerned about Sejong’s constraints. As he’d pointed out, budget limitations were universal, leading to a variety of creative solutions.

This allowed Hyang to proceed smoothly with his plan, satisfying his own ‘Deoksim’ [personal interests or passions] in the process.

However, it wasn’t long before officials from the Ministry of National Defense began frequenting Area 51 so often they practically wore out the welcome mat.

The reason for these constant visits was a certain ‘support artillery’ piece being developed alongside the rifle.

* * *

“Your Highness, Minister Jo Mal-saeng has arrived.”

“Bring him in.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Soon, Jo Mal-saeng was ushered in by a eunuch.

“I greet the Crown Prince.”

“Haha! I see you often these days. Please, have a seat.”

Hyang gestured for Jo Mal-saeng to sit opposite him and began, “What brings you here at this hour? You haven’t forgotten that Father is waiting for you in Geunjeongjeon Hall, have you?”

“Ah, I already reported to His Majesty yesterday and received his approval.”

*How many years had it been since the officials had to navigate between Sejong and Hyang? They certainly weren’t easy to manage anymore.*

“Tsk!” Hyang clicked his tongue softly, then straightened his expression and looked at Jo Mal-saeng. “So, what brings you here today?”

“It’s about the support artillery that Your Highness is developing.”

“We’re developing more than one or two support artillery pieces, aren’t we?” Hyang replied, feigning ignorance.

“To be precise, I’m referring to the support machine rifle.”

At Jo Mal-saeng’s words, Hyang nodded. “Ah! That? Well, it’s still under development.”

“I heard its power is unparalleled.”

“It’s quite excellent, but not unparalleled. Objectively speaking, the power of our larger artillery pieces is greater, isn’t it?”

“Isn’t their use different? That’s what Your Highness always says.”

Hyang’s expression hardened at Jo Mal-saeng’s remark.

“Do you really not know why I’m saying this?”

Jo Mal-saeng waved his hands hastily at Hyang’s sharp question. “Ah, no! It’s just that the military sees it as a truly exceptional weapon, but there’s pressure from the Ministry of Economy and Finance….”

“If it’s a truly exceptional weapon and necessary, persuade the Ministry of Economy and Finance! Do you think finding a detour like this will set a good precedent!”

Jo Mal-saeng immediately bowed his head at Hyang’s rebuke.

“Ah, no! It’s just that it’s such a good weapon….”

“I’ll say it again! If it’s such a good weapon and necessary, start with Minister of Economy and Finance Kim Jeom and persuade the head of the budget review department! That is the correct path, and I have no intention of tolerating deviations!”

Jo Mal-saeng’s head drooped further and further at Hyang’s scolding.

“My thinking was short-sighted!”

* * *

After severely rebuking Jo Mal-saeng and sending him away, Hyang continued to grumble.

“Why is everyone always trying to find a shortcut?”

Hyang gnashed his teeth, recalling the frustrations he had faced due to external pressures during his time as a civil servant in the 21st century.

There was another reason for Hyang’s anger.

“And why do I have to deal with the Ministry of Economy and Finance all the time!”

Dealing with the Ministry of Economy and Finance, which in some ways was a more formidable opponent than Sejong himself, was no easy task for Hyang.

“How, in just a few years, have the Sadaebu [Scholar-officials] become greater capitalist monsters than me?”

It became Hyang’s daily routine to be exhausted after wrestling with officials from the Ministry of Economy and Finance. Eventually, Hyang even looked up at the sky and sighed.

“I raised a monster!”

The stubborn Sadaebu had undergone a new evolution, having learned the fear and power wielded by those controlling the budget.

Therefore, Hyang avoided conflicts with the Ministry of Economy and Finance as much as possible, except for the budget needed for the research institute and Area 51.

* * *

Three months after receiving the order from Sejong, Hyang held an event to introduce the newly developed firearms at the shooting range prepared in Gyeongbokgung Palace.

“To create results in just three months, you are truly amazing,” Sejong said.

Hyang bowed his head slightly and replied, “I had some ideas in mind in advance.”

“Is that so? Preparedness…. You are always reliable.”

Sejong, patting Hyang’s shoulder with a pleased expression, looked at the guns placed on the white cloth-covered platform.

“It looks very familiar?”

There was a hint of disappointment in Sejong’s tone. He was accustomed to Hyang’s creations being entirely novel.

At Sejong’s reaction, Hyang replied with a slightly sulky face. “I tried to create the best possible results with the minimum budget, as per Father’s order.”

“Is that so? Tell me about it.”

“Yes.”

Hyang moved to the front of the platform, pointed to the rifles with a pointer, and began to explain. “From the far left, these are prototype rifles A, B, C, and D.”

The models of A, B, C, and D that Hyang introduced bore resemblances to the early and late models of the Sharps Rifle, the Springfield M1865 Trapdoor Rifle, and the Remington Rolling Block Rifle, respectively.

“Hmm…. A and B look the same, what’s the difference?”

At Sejong’s question, Hyang rummaged through his sleeve and produced a bullet. “It’s the difference in bullets. A uses the same bullets and percussion caps that our Joseon army has been using, while B through D use newly made bullets. This is the new bullet.”

“Where….”

Sejong received the new bullet from Hyang, examined it closely, and his eyes lit up. “Did you combine the percussion cap and the bullet bag into one?”

“That’s right.”

What Hyang had created was similar to the integrated bullets developed by Jean Paully of Switzerland and Prélat of France in 1808.

It was a system of embedding a detonator in a copper base and filling a paper cartridge attached to the base with gunpowder and bullets.

“I have been contemplating the best way to maximize firing performance while reducing copper consumption.”

* * *

Sejong, after listening to the explanation about the operation of the prototype rifles, including the bullets, asked Hyang, “You have prepared a demonstration, haven’t you?”

“Of course, Father. Prepare the demonstration!”

“Yes! Prepare the demonstration!”

At the cry of the military officer, a group of soldiers rushed out to the shooting range.

The soldiers, after paying their respects to Sejong, divided into five groups, each consisting of an O [伍, the smallest unit of the Joseon army, comprising 5 soldiers], and took their positions on the shooting range.

“Fire!”

Ta-ta-tang!

The soldiers, pulling the trigger in unison at the officer’s command, began to reload.

And at that moment, the advantages of the new rifles became apparent.

During the time it took for the Gap-sik Jangchong [traditional matchlock rifle], which the Joseon army had been using, to reload and fire the next bullet, the prototype rifles fired at least 4 to as many as 6 bullets.

“Stop firing! Stop firing!”

As the officer shouted and the red flag waved, the soldiers ceased firing. Amidst the lingering echoes of the noisy gunfire, Sejong looked back at Hyang.

“Indeed, the rate of fire is very fast. But….”

Sejong paused, picked up a rifle from the platform, aimed it, and asked Hyang, “It’s not just that, is it?”

“That’s right!”

Hyang answered with a grin and gestured to the officer commanding the soldiers.

Seeing Hyang’s gesture, the officer ordered the soldiers to kneel and lie down to shoot. And in the process, the true strengths of the prototype rifles were revealed. Unlike the existing rifles that required the soldiers to stand up immediately after firing to reload, the prototype rifles could be reloaded on the spot without standing up.

When the demonstration was over, Sejong looked back at the accompanying officials.

“What do you think?”

At Sejong’s question, Hwang Hee stepped forward and answered, “If they underestimate and attack us because our army is small, something regrettable will surely happen to them.”

At Hwang Hee’s words, the officials all nodded. Sejong also nodded in agreement with the officials’ evaluation.

“I think so too. And….”

Sejong paused, examined the integrated ammunition again, and said to Hyang, “Crown Prince, there is a reason why you made the new ammunition. Although it is faster than the existing Gap-sik rifle, the Gap-type is a little inferior to the others.”

As Sejong pointed out, the Gap-type, which used the existing cartridge and percussion cap, had a slightly more complicated procedure.

“That’s right.”

At Sejong’s observation, Hyang nodded and muttered inwardly, *’As expected, you are out of specification….’*

“Hmm….”

Sejong nodded repeatedly and examined the rifles, then asked Hyang again, “You explained to me that you spent the minimum budget. That means you made some modifications to the existing rifles, right? And, in my opinion, the Byeong-type is the closest to that. Is that right?”

At Sejong’s question, Hyang immediately nodded. “That’s right.”

As Sejong pointed out, A, B, and D required significant alterations to the gun body and the installation of a new mechanism. However, the modification of the Byeong-type Trapdoor rifle was primarily focused on the barrel.

“Hmm….”

Sejong picked up the rifles and examined them, then asked Hyang, “Crown Prince, I think the development of weapons will continue. Do you think so too?”

“I think so too. But, I am confident that our Joseon’s weapons are the most advanced right now.”

“Your contribution is great in that regard. Hmm…. But, the budget is limited….”

Sejong stopped mid-sentence and examined the prototype rifles again carefully.

After lifting and putting down the rifles several times, Sejong came to a conclusion.

“Due to the budget issue, I will select the prototype rifle Byeong as the next rifle. But, the Crown Prince should continue to research better rifles than that.”

“Yes, Father.”

At Sejong’s decision, Hyang bowed his head with a calm face.

*’In a way, this is the most sensible answer. The others would require a major overhaul of the production line.’*

However, Hyang felt a twinge of resentment when he saw Kim Jeom nodding with a bright face.

“Father. Besides these rifles, there is a newly researched support weapon that I would like you to see.”

At Hyang’s words, Sejong’s face lit up noticeably.

“Really? Then I must see it! Prepare it quickly!”

Sejong was delighted at the prospect of seeing the rumored support weapon that he had heard about through various channels.

Soon, a new support weapon mounted on two gun carriages entered the shooting range.

Sejong, examining the appearance of the new weapon, asked Hyang, “Is it six rifles tied together?”

“That’s right. The name is Eul-sik Hwacha.”

“Eul-sik Hwacha….”

Sejong paused, recalling his memories at Hyang’s words, and looked back at Hyang. “The Hwacha [multiple rocket launcher] I know is a weapon that fires 100 arrows at once. Does that mean this is similar?”

“That’s right.”

“Let’s see the performance.”

“Yes!”

As Sejong’s order was given, Hyang and the soldiers moved with enthusiasm.

Ta-ta-tang~.

The demonstration of the Hwacha ended as the echoes of the last fired bullets faded away, but Sejong and the officials remained speechless.

The scarecrows and target boards that had been set up at the end of the shooting range were riddled with holes. It was a scene of carnage created by just two Eul-sik Hwacha.

With the Hwacha behind him, Hyang explained to Sejong and the officials, “If installed in major defense positions and on ships sailing the sea, it will demonstrate its power effectively.”

At Hyang’s explanation, Sejong and the officials imagined the scene. They trembled as they envisioned the Jurchens and Japanese pirates being swept away by the weapon.

“I don’t even want to think about it. But….”

Sejong looked back at Kim Jeom.

“Minister of Finance. No matter how much you oppose it, I need this!”

* * *