Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 499

499. The Earners and the Spenders (1)

Following Mochiyo’s decision, flintlock rifles and swords were mass-produced and began to cross the sea.

In addition, inferior versions of the ‘Bigyeokjincheonleis’ [large, advanced cannons] and the toys to launch them crossed the sea along with large quantities of gunpowder.

And huge sums of money flowed into the Joseon government.

Thanks to this, whenever weapons bound for Waeguk [historical name for Japan] were shipped from Area 51, Kim Jeom and the Minister of Finance watched the scene at the entrance of Area 51.

Each time wooden crates containing various weapons came out, Kim Jeom and the Minister of Finance exchanged stories with pleased expressions.

“It would be wonderful if the civil war in Waeguk lasted exactly five years, no more, no less.”

“I agree.”

With each crate of weapons going out and a crate of silver coming in, the two hoped that the civil war in Waeguk would worsen into a prolonged war.

However, they were well aware that if the internal situation in Waeguk deteriorated too much, it would also pose a threat to Joseon, which is why they limited it to ‘exactly five years.’

“Oh! The toys are finally going out!”

“Hey! How many more times are the toys scheduled to go out!”

At Kim Jeom’s question, the person in charge of shipping searched the related documents and replied.

“There are no plans other than the 12 units going out today. Whether there will be additional shipments will depend on the war situation in Waeguk.”

“Is that so? Is there enough stock of the toys?”

“There are about 50 units left. After that, even if the Daeneussi [powerful Japanese clan leader, referring to Ouchi] wants them, there will be nothing to hand over.”

At the words of the person in charge of shipping, Kim Jeom and the Minister of Finance wore disappointed expressions.

“Is that so? There are no plans for reproduction, right?”

“The molds have already been melted down.”

“That’s a shame, a shame… Tsk!”

“Tsk!”

Kim Jeom and the Minister of Finance just smacked their lips.

* * *

The toys used to launch the Bigyeokjincheonleis were once treated as unwanted.

The toys, made as siege close-range bombardment weapons, used rounded stones as projectiles. Later, with the creation of the Bigyeokjincheonleis, their mission changed to dedicated cannons.

However, as dedicated cannons with longer ranges due to Hyang’s improvements and enhanced mobility mounted on gun carriages were newly deployed, the toys were pushed to the back.

Therefore, many toys, like other cannons, were melted down for recycling.

A new opportunity came to these toys, which were waiting for recycling, with the outbreak of the civil war in Waeguk.

The toys were used as launching cannons for the downgraded Bigyeokjincheonleis to be given to Ouchi’s Mochiyo, and Joseon naturally sold them at a considerable profit.

“The profit is good, but there will be no reproduction.”

“However,”

“Do you think there will be enough demand to recreate the melted molds and make new casting molds? As time passes and they have more leeway, the Daeneussi will make them themselves. So, there will be no additional production.”

At Hyang’s firm decision, Kim Jeom and the Minister of Finance could only smack their lips.

* * *

Once the floodgates were opened, the Daeneussi’s shopping list grew longer and longer.

“Huh? You’re going to buy dried rations?”

“Yes.”

At the request of the envoy sent by the Daeneussi, Hyang asked again with a worried expression.

“Is the head of the family’s decision really correct? If this is your own decision again, I think you’re really going to die?”

At Hyang’s concern, the envoy bowed his head and replied.

“I am truly grateful for your concern for my safety. However, this is definitely the will of my lord.”

“That’s a relief, but don’t you also have military rations?”

“That is true, but if our military rations simply fill our stomachs, Joseon’s dried rations even provide vitality.”

At the envoy’s answer, Hyang and the officials all nodded.

* * *

From ancient times to the future, the Korean people were those who were ‘sincere about eating.’ So much so that the greeting given whenever meeting acquaintances was ‘Have you eaten?’ was common among the Korean people.

Thanks to this cultural emphasis, the dried rations made by Hyang had good preservation, but also a decent taste – of course, they were very salty – and could provide nutritional balance and calories.

Thanks to this, it was even used for lunch meals at Saminhakdang [private schools], which children in their growth period attended.

Of course, with the economic leeway created through Gyeongjang [economic reforms], a considerable number of Saminhakdang began to hire separate cooks to start providing meals.

In contrast, the military rations eaten by Waeguk soldiers were truly poor. Rice steamed in water vapor was dried well, then carried around and eaten raw or soaked in water. As for side dishes, pickled taro stems in miso were twisted like ropes and carried around the waist, then boiled and eaten.

Of course, it was rice made from brown rice, not polished white rice, so it provided a considerable amount of nutrients, but not as much as Joseon’s dried rations.

* * *

“Hmm… If it’s Daeneujise’s decision, then let’s sell it.”

“Thank you. And…”

“Is there more?”

As the envoy tried to add more, Hyang asked a question and muttered inwardly.

‘Once he started, he got a taste for it?’

“Yes. Please sell us emergency bandage sets for the soldiers to carry.”

“Bandages? Hmm… Well…”

At the envoy’s words, Hyang nodded.

* * *

Hyang had many hobbies, but the most significant part was related to national defense.

‘The hobby with the most to do is military mania!’

Because of this, Hyang, who was developing various weapons, realized the reality of the problem.

“We’re already suffering from a shortage of people, so shouldn’t we keep the soldiers alive as much as possible?”

Having thought that far, Hyang immediately called the royal physicians.

“Are you talking about medicinal herbs with hemostatic effects [to stop bleeding]?”

“That’s right. It’s good to boil and drink, but it must be a medicinal herb that has medicinal effects even when powdered and sprinkled.”

“I will look for it.”

According to Hyang’s orders, the doctors searched medical books and called herbalists to inquire if there were such herbs.

“I found it!”

“Is that so?”

Six months later, the royal physician found the perfect herb.

“The best is Sanchil, but it is difficult to obtain because it comes from Sichuan, China. So, after further inquiries, I was able to find something suitable.”

“Yes, what is it?”

“It is Jiyu (地楡). The people call it Oipul (Burnet).”

“You have worked hard! Then let’s make it so that it can be used easily on the battlefield!”

The hemostatic powder made using the herb was placed in small paper bags made of oiled paper.

Besides the hemostatic agent, Hyang also worked on bandages.

“Are you talking about bandages soaked in honey?”

“Yes. I heard that honey prevents suppuration [pus formation] of wounds.”

The oldest doctor’s eyes lit up at Hyang’s words.

“I have heard that honey has such effects. How did you know, Your Highness?”

At the doctor’s question, Hyang slightly slurred his words.

“Well, I heard stories and read books…”

‘I can’t say I saw it in a movie!’

Hyang’s eccentricities were famous, so the doctors took it for granted and moved on. However, another problem soon arose.

“That expensive honey…”

“Of course, it must be diluted. Let’s find the optimal concentration.”

‘They also use water in the movie!’

According to Hyang’s orders, the doctors repeated trials and errors to find the optimal concentration that combined efficacy and economy.

Then, the doctors who found the optimal concentration took the bandages coated with this diluted honey and entered clinical trials.

“It definitely has an effect!”

“Then let’s make it in large quantities!”

In this way, the Joseon version of the ‘First aid kit’, the ‘Emergency Bandage Set’, was created and began to be distributed to soldiers.

“What is this thing for?”

At first, the soldiers tilted their heads. However, as the efficacy was proven through soldiers who were injured while skirmishing with the Jurchens in the north, the soldiers took care of the emergency bandages and hemostatic agent-filled pouches as if they were precious treasures.

At the same time, a new military branch was born, the ‘Medic’.

Instead of weapons, the medics carried two large backpacks and three canteens. Two of the three canteens were filled with sterilizing alcohol (ethanol) to wash wounds. One of the two backpacks was filled with cotton balls to be soaked in the alcohol, and the other was filled with hemostatic agent pouches and emergency bandage pouches.

* * *

Ouchi learned about these emergency bandages and hemostatic agents while treating wounded soldiers at the Joseon Trading Post.

‘The doctors at the trading post just sprinkle powder, and the blood stops and the wound heals!’

‘When the doctors wrap bandages, the wound doesn’t fester!’

The rumors spread like wildfire, and Mochiyo, who heard this, immediately gave an order.

“Find out more!”

In this way, Mochiyo, who learned of the existence of emergency bandages and hemostatic agents, naturally added them to the shopping list.

* * *

While selling goods to Ouchi in this way, merchants from the Japanese settlements approached Joseon.

“Please sell Joseon’s long rifles to our territory as well.”

Hyang, who received requests from merchants sent by lords from all over Waeguk, replied briefly.

“I will consider it if you bring a guarantee from Daeneussi.”

“Are you talking about Ouchi’s guarantee?”

“Isn’t it natural since there is a matter of trust between our Joseon and Daeneussi?”

“That is true, but…”

“I will not trade without a guarantee.”

At Hyang’s firm answer, the merchants had no choice but to retreat with troubled faces.

And this affected the entire Waeguk.

A situation had come where all the lords of Waeguk had to make a choice.

– Ouchi or the Shogunate?

While watching the battle between Ouchi and the Shogunate, they realized the importance of gunpowder weapons, but the only way for them to get gunpowder weapons was to join hands with one of the two forces.

Thanks to this, the entire Waeguk began to split properly into two.

Even though the sides were divided, both sides wanted the ‘Emergency Bandage Set’, and Joseon sold it without discrimination.

“If we block this, it won’t be easy for Daeneussi to maintain power even if they seize it.”

As Hyang said, there was a matter of justification, so Ouchi couldn’t make any special complaints.

And this ‘Emergency Bandage Set’ became an unexpected 효자 product [a product that brings in a lot of money].

Thanks to this, the auction to determine the merchant group in charge of the ‘Emergency Bandage Set’ manufacturing business recorded the highest competition rate in a long time.

While Hyang and the officials of the Joseon government were working hard to earn money, there was someone who was smiling with satisfaction.

* * *

“His Majesty has sent a letter.”

The ministers and vice-ministers gathered in Seungwhadang [government building] frowned as soon as Hyang finished speaking.

Looking at the expressions of those officials, Hyang continued.

“He praised my and your hard work. He was very pleased that the results were better than expected.”

Although Hyang conveyed Sejong’s praise, the officials’ faces were not good.

Kim Jeom, who received a signal from Hwang Hee, asked Hyang with a determined face.

“So, what else does he need this time?”

“There’s quite a lot.”

“큿!”

The moment he heard Hyang’s words, Kim Jeom bit his tongue.

‘Some people are working hard to earn money, but some people are just spending it!’

Despite grumbling inwardly, Kim Jeom didn’t have the courage to utter the rest of his words.