Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 48

Jjanggeura

Hello, Bomb!

48. Smiling and Crying at Deokjil (13)

After concluding his business with Jeong Cho, Hyang turned his attention to Yi Cheon and Choi Hae-san.

“General Choi Hae-san, General Yi Cheon.”

“Yes.”

“I have a crucial task for you to undertake, in collaboration with the artisans of the Military Arms Bureau.”

“If it’s a crucial task, what is it?”

“It concerns the improvement of the Chongtong [a type of cannon].”

Hyang unrolled the blueprints, elaborating, “If we can execute this properly, it has the potential to reshape the landscape of future battlefields.”

“Did you say reshape the landscape of the battlefield?”

“Precisely.”

Hyang spread the unrolled blueprints on the table’s center, ensuring everyone had a clear view.

“This is the Chongtong as I envision it.”

“Hmm…”

“Heo…”

The moment the blueprints were unveiled, everyone in the conference room began scrutinizing them with intense interest.

After a period of studying the blueprints, Jang Yeong-sil was the first to break the silence.

“Your Highness, examining these blueprints, it appears that pulling the ring-shaped component attached to the handle’s base will activate that curved section. How do we intend to incorporate the fuse?”

“How would Master Jang approach it?”

In response to Hyang’s inquiry, Jang Yeong-sil pointed to the cock [the hammer] and nipple [a small projection] depicted on the rifle in the blueprint, explaining, “If it were my design, I would position the fuse on this part, creating a channel that connects to the gunpowder chamber of the Chongtong, or alternatively, incorporate a dish to contain the gunpowder. Then, this lower section…”

Jang Yeong-sil indicated the trigger mechanism with his finger, continuing his explanation. “Pulling this crescent-shaped component will move the section holding the fuse, igniting the gunpowder in the gunpowder dish. The resulting fire will then enter the Chongtong, initiating the explosion.”

“Hmm…”

“I see…”

Choi Hae-san and Yi Cheon nodded in acknowledgment of Jang Yeong-sil’s explanation. Choi Hae-san, still nodding, commented, “Listening to Master Jang’s explanation and studying Your Highness’s blueprints, it’s undeniably an ingenious device. This eliminates the need for a separate soldier to ignite the fuse, significantly reducing the time required to fire. That has always been the problem.”

Hyang was taken aback by Choi Hae-san’s observation.

‘He even understands the concept of lock time [the time between trigger pull and firing]?’

Despite Choi Hae-san’s positive assessment, Jang Yeong-sil remained skeptical, shaking his head.

“However, observing Your Highness’s blueprints, there’s an unfamiliar protrusion instead of the hole or gunpowder dish I suggested.”

“That’s correct.”

Jang Yeong-sil’s remark drew everyone’s attention to Hyang. Yi Cheon and Choi Hae-san, in particular, being the most directly involved, fixed their gazes on him with laser-like intensity.

Under the weight of everyone’s attention, Hyang began his explanation.

“I have a distinct concept for that particular component. You all haven’t examined it closely enough.”

Hyang sifted through the blueprints spread across the table, retrieving the one at the bottom and raising it. This blueprint detailed the design and specifications of the nipple and the percussion cap [a small, explosive primer] intended for use with it.

Pointing to the components illustrated in the blueprint, Hyang continued, “We’ll use this cap by placing it on this nipple. This cap will contain gunpowder. Master Jang, what do you anticipate will happen then?”

Jang Yeong-sil, singled out by Hyang, scrutinized the blueprint and promptly responded, “If that’s the case, this elongated component on top…”

“We’ll call it a cock.”

“Yes. The cock moves and strikes the cap on this nipple?”

“Precisely.”

In response to Hyang’s confirmation, Jang Yeong-sil tilted his head, immediately posing a question. “But what exactly are a nipple and a cap? The component you referred to as the cock resembled a chicken’s head, so I understood it instantly.”

Jang Yeong-sil’s question prompted nods of agreement from the others. Hyang promptly addressed Jang Yeong-sil’s inquiry.

“Ah! These are terms coined by Westerners who developed a similar style of Chongtong. It’s understandable that you haven’t encountered these Western terms. To clarify their meanings, the Westerners designated the cock as ‘Cock,’ but I felt the term ‘cock’ was more fitting, so I made the adjustment. I retained the others simply because I couldn’t devise more suitable terms. Feel free to suggest alternatives.”

“Then we need to understand the meanings of the terms used by the Westerners.”

At Choi Hae-san’s suggestion, Hyang promptly provided the definitions of nipple, cap, and trigger. The explanation of ‘nipple’ led to a brief, awkward moment.

“Oh my… the meaning… really…”

“Do the Westerners lack decorum…”

“According to Western records, there was an original term, but the nickname given by the soldiers became so prevalent that it was adopted as the official name. To effectively train them, the soldiers need to understand easily.”

“Soldiers are the same, whether in the East or the West.”

“That’s right.”

Choi Hae-san and Yi Cheon nodded in agreement with Hyang’s explanation.

This was due to the common practice among Joseon soldiers of assigning various crude nicknames to their weapons.

“Shall we brainstorm some names then?”

As Jeong Cho and Jeong In-ji expressed enthusiasm for naming, Choi Hae-san intervened.

“More importantly, the gunpowder that will be used in this cap presents a challenge. There’s an issue with the gunpowder used by our Joseon army.”

“That’s correct.”

Yi Cheon immediately concurred with General Choi Hae-san, who possessed extensive knowledge of gunpowder, while the others looked puzzled. In response to Choi Hae-san’s remark, Hyang rose from his seat.

“One moment, please.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

As Hyang headed towards the detached house, Jeong Cho inquired of Choi Hae-san, “General, what do you mean there’s a problem with the gunpowder?”

“Well… saltpeter [potassium nitrate] is notoriously difficult to handle. Soldiers even refer to it as mangcho (reckless grass) [a term for something dangerous or unpredictable].”

According to Choi Hae-san’s explanation, black powder production was fraught with danger from start to finish.

-Mixing the ingredients was inherently risky. If the finely ground ingredients were mixed and agitated excessively during transfer, friction could cause them to explode. The gunpowder container also had to meet specific requirements, necessitating the use of wood, fire-resistant, or brass containers.

-Storage was equally precarious. As previously mentioned, if the ingredients mixed in a specific container were not properly managed, they could separate. To prevent this, water was sprinkled on the mixture to make it sticky and form lumps. Once the lumps were moderately dry, they had to be crushed and sieved to ensure ease of use.

-The next stage presented further challenges. Even after these precautions, saltpeter, the primary component of gunpowder, readily absorbed moisture. Repeated absorption and drying caused it to clump and harden like stone, posing a significant hazard. Attempting to reuse this hardened gunpowder by striking it with a hammer could trigger an explosion, and throwing it into a fire would have the same result.

“…Therefore, the military mixes soil into the gunpowder. This isn’t solely to increase the quantity by adding inexpensive soil. The soil absorbs the moisture instead. While it would be feasible to use dried gunpowder in what His Highness the Crown Prince referred to as a cap, storage is problematic due to its high water absorption. Hooo…”

With a sigh, Choi Hae-san concluded his explanation, prompting Jeong In-ji to ask, “Does the general imply that His Highness’s design is impractical?”

Choi Hae-san responded cautiously to Jeong In-ji’s question, aware of the potential political ramifications of his words.

“I cannot say definitively without conducting real-world experiments. However, one thing is certain: our current gunpowder is unsuitable.”

“General Choi’s assessment is accurate.”

“Heo, heok!”

“Heok!”

People were startled by Hyang’s sudden pronouncement.

“I apologize if I frightened you. Eunuch! There will be a loud noise shortly, so remain calm!”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Hyang, having forewarned the eunuch, placed a wide copper plate on the table and opened the lid of the wooden barrel he had brought.

“What is that?”

“Shall we call it gunpowder I developed? I’ve named it Bogeun (爆銀) [Exploding Silver], but…”

“Did you say Bogeun? You didn’t use actual silver, did you?”

At Hyang’s words, Choi Hae-san asked with a worried expression. As a gunpowder expert, he was acutely aware of the immense cost associated with gunpowder production.

‘But silver?’

In response to Choi Hae-san’s question, Hyang smiled and clarified, “I don’t use silver. I create it using nitric acid, mercury, and alcohol. I named it silver because mercury is one of the ingredients.”

“Is that so?”

Choi Hae-san looked relieved at Hyang’s explanation. Mercury, while primarily imported due to limited domestic production, was more readily available than sulfur or copper.

Observing Choi Hae-san’s expression, Hyang placed a flat copper plate on the table and carefully scooped an extremely small amount of Bogeun powder into the center using a small spoon.

“Now… Scholar Jeong.”

“Yes?”

Hyang, addressing Jeong In-ji, handed him the hammer.

“Judging by your expression, Scholar Jeong, you seem curious. Why don’t you try striking it?”

“Yes? Yes? Yessir!”

“Go ahead.”

Jeong In-ji, accepting the hammer from Hyang, glanced back and forth between the hammer and the Bogeun powder, steeled his resolve, and brought the hammer down.

Bang!

“Aigoo!”

A deafening explosion shook the table, causing Jeong In-ji to scream and instinctively drop the hammer.

Hyang smiled inwardly as he observed the scene.

‘I’m going to make you suffer for a long time!’

“Let’s take a look.”

With a nonchalant expression, Hyang retrieved the hammer and examined the plate. He wasn’t alone. With the exception of Jeong In-ji, who had retreated, the others huddled around the plate.

“Hoo!”

“Heo!”

Exclamations erupted as they observed the plate, now marked with black soot radiating outwards.

“General Choi, General Yi. What are your thoughts?”

In response to Hyang’s question, Choi Hae-san immediately declared, “It’s more than adequate for use!”

With Choi Hae-san’s positive assessment, Hyang picked up the long wooden lump he had brought.

“This is a rudimentary representation of the shape in the blueprint. When deployed on the front lines, it would be used in this manner.”

Hyang positioned the butt of the wooden gun against his shoulder, adopting a shooting stance.

Choi Hae-san, observing the demonstration, reached out his hand.

“May I examine it for a moment?”

“Go ahead.”

Choi Hae-san, receiving the wooden gun, mirrored Hyang’s actions, placing the butt against his shoulder and aiming.

“Hmm… this is intriguing.”

“General, allow me to try as well.”

“Go ahead.”

Choi Hae-san and Yi Cheon took turns aiming the wooden gun. After scrutinizing it several times, Choi Hae-san turned to Hyang.

“If used in this manner, the one-shot multi-arrow method would be unsuitable.”

“I concur. Perhaps approximately one Joran arrow [a type of arrow] would be appropriate.”

Hyang nodded emphatically in response to Choi Hae-san and Yi Cheon’s comments.

“That’s right!”

Jeong Cho interjected after hearing Hyang’s words.

“I’m not well-versed in military strategy or weaponry, but wouldn’t it be challenging to achieve accurate hits with a single Joran arrow?”

In response to Jeong Cho’s remark, Choi Hae-san pointed to the front and rear sights attached to the wooden gun.

“The metal components at the front and rear appear to serve as aiming aids.”

“I see.”

While Jeong Cho nodded, Yi Cheon added, “Furthermore, the length of this Chongtong will also enhance target accuracy.”

“How so?”

“Consider Pyeonjeon (片箭) [a short arrow] and Tong-ah (筒兒) [a bamboo tube used to launch the arrow].”

“Ah!”

Jeong Cho exclaimed in understanding at Yi Cheon’s explanation, nodding in agreement. He was also proficient in archery and familiar with the use of Pyeonjeon.

“Your Highness the Crown Prince, I have a question.”

“Master Jang, speak.”

With Hyang’s permission, Jang Yeong-sil began, “I had a question while reviewing the blueprint. This Chongtong doesn’t appear to be made using casting.”

Hyang nodded in response to Jang Yeong-sil’s question.

“Your observation is accurate.”

Hyang’s confirmation drew everyone’s attention. He pointed to the barrel depicted in the blueprint and explained, “This Chongtong will be crafted through forging.”

At those words, Jang Yeong-sil’s eyes widened as he tilted his head.

“Forging… do you intend to use iron?”

“That’s correct.”

* * *

“Now! Let’s conclude the theoretical discussion here… Let’s proceed to the Military Arms Bureau to continue our discussion.”

At Hyang’s suggestion, everyone rose from their seats.

“Please handle the blueprints with care.”

“Yes, Your Highness!”

As Hyang and his entourage exited, the eunuchs and court ladies entered to tidy the room. One of the eunuchs, while sweeping and wiping the floor, paused, tilting his head.

“What’s this liquid here… sniff sniff sniff! Ack! It’s pee! Old men… who on earth…”

The eunuch began to scold the person who had urinated on the floor.

“Huh? Scholar Jeong, why are you walking like that?”

In response to Jeong Cho’s question about Jeong In-ji’s awkward gait, Jeong In-ji waved his hand dismissively.

“Ah, it’s nothing. My leg is just a little numb…”

“Reading books is important, but maintaining physical fitness is equally essential.”

“I will bear that in mind, Lord.”