Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 504

504. There Are Thorns on Roses (2)

“Yes? That’s….”

Not only Ha Wiji, but also Seong Sam-mun and Kwon Ram looked troubled. Yi Cheon spoke up instead of Hyang.

“At least until the Gyeongjang [a period or event], the Ming [referring to the Ming Dynasty of China] and Westerners may have had more advanced technologies than us, but now we can confidently say that we are ahead.”

Kwon Ram responded to Yi Cheon’s statement.

“But the Westerners are also familiar with weapons that use gunpowder. Wouldn’t they catch up quickly?”

Yi Cheon immediately answered Kwon Ram’s question, his voice rising with frustration at the Fantastic Four’s reaction.

“Have you forgotten what His Highness said earlier? The situation in the West is constantly changing. Do you think we can afford to leisurely refine our technology?”

“However, if they encounter something better than their current weapons, wouldn’t it be human nature to try and acquire it?”

When Seong Sam-mun challenged Yi Cheon’s point, Hyang intervened this time.

“There may already be a war in the West. War is expensive. If you were a ruler, would you invest wealth and time in something that may never be completed, or would you rather make do with existing resources and buy better weapons when you have the funds?”

The Fantastic Four carefully considered Hyang’s question and bowed their heads in unison.

“Our thinking was short-sighted!”

“Try to develop a habit of looking at the bigger picture.”

As he advised the Fantastic Four, Hyang muttered to himself.

‘War can accelerate technological development, but it can also halt it. We saw it in World War II and the 21st-century United States, right?’

* * *

During World War II, the United States acted as the Allied factory. This process led to significant advancements in U.S. defense technology. On the other hand, the Iraq and Afghan Wars after 9/11 saw the cancellation of many weapons development programs.

The reason for this was budgetary constraints.

World War II was a total war with national survival at stake. Therefore, the top priority in budget allocation was war-related expenses.

However, the wars of the 21st century were not total wars. They were subject to budget limitations, leading to the cancellation of expensive new weapons development.

Producing one more 5.56mm bullet needed on the front lines was more important than spending money on developing weapons like the Crusader that might never be completed.

That was why Hyang and Yi Cheon reached the same conclusion. To put it bluntly, both the Yeolhyeong musket and the Westerners’ arquebus were muzzle-loading muskets with similar power. Rather than wasting time and money in the face of an ongoing or imminent war, it was more practical to purchase a large quantity of existing weapons.

* * *

However, the Fantastic Four were somewhat disgruntled by Hyang’s advice.

‘Isn’t he being too harsh, even though he’s the Crown Prince!’

‘He’s the same age as us!’

Eventually, Seong Sam-mun spoke up.

“Then, Your Highness, if the Yeolhyeong musket and the Westerners’ musket have similar power, is it really necessary to spend money to buy them?”

Hyang’s expression changed at Seong Sam-mun’s question.

‘Look at this? Are you rebelling?’

Yi Cheon intervened instead of Hyang, addressing Seong Sam-mun’s challenge.

“That Westerners’ arquebus—ah, we call it a matchlock gun in Area 51 [likely a reference to a research and development facility]. The Yeolhyeong musket has one advantage that the matchlock gun cannot match.”

“What is it?”

“It doesn’t use a match.”

“Yes?”

“Do you know how much mental energy it takes to carry gunpowder pouches all over your body, or to handle a lit match next to a gunpowder bag?”

“Ah….”

The Fantastic Four nodded at Yi Cheon’s explanation, but they weren’t entirely convinced.

“However, the Yeolhyeong musket is expensive and takes time to transport. The Westerners might not want to purchase it.”

Hyang smiled slyly at Han Myeong-hoe’s point and replied.

“I’ve already taken care of that. Since the days of the Dongchong [likely referring to a specific type of weapon or project].”

“That’s right.”

Yi Cheon also smiled and elaborated on Hyang’s words.

Hyang and Yi Cheon were referring to the ‘trigger assembly’.

* * *

When the Dongchong was handed over, Hyang and the researchers made the trigger into a single module and made it a black box in preparation for Ming stealing the technology.

If it was disassembled without permission, a separate spring inside would scatter all the parts in all directions. Even if it didn’t scatter properly, the spring in question would confuse reverse engineering.

In this way, only Joseon could buy the trigger, and Joseon could gain the benefit of knowing the armed state of Ming to some extent in addition to additional income.

In the end, Ming, who failed in reverse engineering, applied the trigger structure of the arquebus brought in through the Middle East to create the Cheolchong [another type of weapon].

* * *

“That’s how the trigger was made into a single bundle. If the Western artisans are competent, they will notice it, and if the leaders are smart, they will ask if they can buy only that parts bundle. That’s a good case too, because you can load more into the same volume.”

The Fantastic Four, listening to Hyang’s explanation, were sweating nervously without realizing it.

‘How many layers of traps did he lay?’

‘This is why the ministers and Yeonggam [a high-ranking official] are so desperate when they see the Crown Prince!’

‘I always feel like he’s a scary human being!’

In the end, the Fantastic Four surrendered to Hyang once again.

What remained after waving the white flag was curiosity.

“I know that our Joseon’s Yeolhyeong musket is excellent, but is there anything to learn from the Westerners’ musket?”

Yi Cheon stroked his beard at Ha Wiji’s question and thought for a moment before answering.

“Hmm…. Theirs may be a little more advantageous in terms of operational safety. But our Joseon has already overcome that part, so I don’t think there’s anything to learn.”

“Is that so?”

Ha Wiji nodded at Yi Cheon’s answer.

Hyang, who was watching the Fantastic Four, came to a conclusion.

“We’ll be able to tell that part by looking at the Westerners’ reaction, so let’s end it here. General Yi Cheon, please prepare to respond immediately when Jeungsan [a place or event] is decided.”

“I will do so.”

As Yi Cheon left Seungwhadang [a building or location] after finishing his business, Hyang looked back at the Fantastic Four.

“Then, let’s summarize the situation in Waeguk [historical term for Japan] next. How much longer do you think Daenei [likely referring to a Japanese figure or faction] and the shogunate will only growl at each other?”

At Hyang’s question, the Fantastic Four hurriedly rummaged through the documents.

“Ah, that is….”

“Tsk!”

* * *

The Fantastic Four, once again grilled by Hyang, entered their assigned office.

“Hoo~. I’m exhausted. Exhausted.”

Kwon Ram, sitting in a chair with an exhausted face, looked at his colleagues with similar expressions, and his gaze settled on Han Myeong-hoe.

“Come to think of it, Jajun [Han Myeong-hoe’s courtesy name], you didn’t say a word?”

“What are you talking about?”

“Didn’t you just keep your mouth shut when you were talking about muskets with General Yi Cheon earlier?”

Han Myeong-hoe smiled slyly at Kwon Ram’s observation.

“Well, it was best to keep my mouth shut in that place.”

“Huh?”

“Even if the Crown Prince doesn’t know, General Yi Cheon, who is old and cunning, also agreed with the plan. Do you think he didn’t know what we were thinking? It’s better to keep your mouth shut than to say something nice and get cursed at.”

The faces of the other three changed drastically at Han Myeong-hoe’s answer.

‘What a sly old fox!’

‘I heard he’s a schemer!’

‘Damn it!’

In the end, Seong Sam-mun, arguably the most dogmatic of the group, criticized Han Myeong-hoe.

“I admit that His Highness and General Yi Cheon are deeply concerned. However, there may be parts that they have missed, so isn’t it our duty to step forward and point them out!”

Han Myeong-hoe smiled and replied to Seong Sam-mun’s criticism.

“Are you that much of a genius?”

“What nonsense are you talking about?”

“Are you such a genius that you can listen to the plans that His Highness, General Yi Cheon, and other old ministers have been working on for days and find the wrong parts in just one listen?”

“There’s no way!”

“So, it’s just a nice thing to say. If you want to point it out like that, you should take the time to think about it carefully, and if you really can’t, go to General Yi Cheon and ask him, and then you should tell him when you think it’s not right.”

The three shut their mouths at Han Myeong-hoe’s point. They muttered inwardly, looking at Han Myeong-hoe, who was sitting peacefully in his seat and organizing the documents to be submitted to Hyang.

‘That’s the right way to do it, but why am I so angry?’

‘Oh! What a tasteless guy! He’s been like that since before!’

‘Han Myeong-hoe! He’s a scary guy after all!’

Han Myeong-hoe, glancing at the three people with frowning faces, braced himself inwardly.

‘Keep your mind sharp! You’ve experienced what kind of person the Crown Prince is! The moment you make even a small mistake, you’re doomed!’

Han Myeong-hoe felt a chill down his spine every time he thought about his first meeting with Hyang.

* * *

After months of sailing, the captains of the Portuguese fleet that arrived in Suez soon selected 10 Yeolhyeong muskets and handed them over to Henrique.

“Joseon is selling arquebuses to Zipangu [historical name for Japan]?”

“The size is that of an arquebus, but the power is that of a musket.”

“Hoo?”

Intrigued, Henrique got up from his seat and held the Yeolhyeong musket in his hand.

“It’s light, it’s light.”

Henrique’s first impression of holding the musket was ‘It’s light’.

* * *

At this time, the weight of a musket was on average around 7 kg, and the arquebus was around 5 kg.

The biggest reason for this weight was the barrel. At the time, the barrels of muskets and arquebuses were made by casting. Therefore, the material of the barrel was mainly cast iron. This was a matter of manufacturing cost. Expensive bronze was used to make cannons, which were more valuable weapons, and the barrels of muskets and arquebuses held by infantrymen used cheaper cast iron.

However, due to the nature of cast iron, which is weak against impact, it had to be heat-treated, and the thickness also increased, resulting in a heavy barrel.

And in order to use such a heavy gun, a monopod became an essential piece of equipment for musket soldiers.

* * *

“It’s so light, but it has the power of a musket?”

“That’s right.”

“Really? Then let’s try shooting it.”

“You’ll be surprised.”

Listening to the captains’ assurances, Henrique, who conducted the test firing, immediately looked for Pedro.

“…Joseon’s arquebus is amazing?”

“Yes, it looks like an arquebus, but its power is that of a musket.”

“Is that so? Prepare for a test firing.”

Pedro, who attended the test firing again, applauded without realizing it.

“Amazing! Amazing! And there’s no match, so the hassle is reduced!”

Pedro was repeatedly impressed. Managing gunpowder next to the match and embers was very dangerous and cumbersome.

“That’s good. But how much does it cost?”

“500 silver ducats.”

Pedro’s face contorted as he heard the price. At that price, you could buy 3 top-of-the-line muskets or 4 slightly inferior ones with 2 Joseon arquebuses.

“The performance is good, but it’s too expensive. Call the artisans and see if they can replicate it.”

“Yes.”

Pedro decided to replicate it. Henrique expressed concern at Pedro’s decision.

“Isn’t that kind of performance worth the money?”

“It’s just an arquebus anyway. It doesn’t have the power of a cannon, does it?”

“That’s true, but….”

“So it’s better to replicate it. Joseon may later argue about intellectual property or something, but that’s a matter for then.”

Henrique had to back down because Pedro’s decision was firm. Henrique could understand that Pedro’s decision was reasonable, but on the one hand, an uneasy feeling was creeping up.

‘Did that Joseon really sell it without knowing?’

A month later, a report was submitted to Pedro.

The content of the report was simple.

‘Cannot be replicated.’