Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 535

535. Conspiracy (1)

It was the 28th year of Sejong’s reign (1446, Byeongin Year).

As soon as spring arrived, a Portuguese merchant fleet arrived in Joseon [ancient Korean kingdom].

“You’re here early?”

The head of the merchant fleet smiled and replied to the customs officer, with whom he had built a friendly relationship.

“Ah! The winds were very favorable!”

“Is that so? You must be very lucky this year! You’re a month early, after all!”

“Ah, haha, I suppose so? Thank you.”

The head of the merchant fleet offered his best smile, unsure if the words were genuine appreciation or an attempt to negotiate a better deal.

“Come to think of it, you’ve added a ship? Wow~. Business must be really good?”

“Ah, yes, yes….”

The accompanying ship was fully loaded with boxes containing 3,000 matchlock rifles produced by the Area 51 armory, molds for making spherical lead bullets to fit the rifles, and 15,000 sealed packets of ammunition combining bullet and powder.

As the cargo was unloaded, Portuguese merchants and soldiers, Joseon military officials in charge of customs and transport, and interpreters from both sides stood side by side, meticulously checking the goods.

“15,000 packets of ammunition… that’s a tremendous amount.”

The military official smirked at the customs officer’s comment as he inspected the cargo against the manifest.

“The number 15,000 sounds impressive, but it’s actually not that much. It’s only five packets per rifle. Those five packets are just for verification purposes.”

“Verification?”

The military official counted on his fingers as he answered the officer’s question.

“Two packets are to check if there are any issues with the rifles during transport, and the other three are to check if they hit the target properly. To really go into battle, you need at least 60 packets per rifle. You need 60 packets to fight a proper battle.”

“Is that so?”

The officer nodded at the military official’s explanation and focused on the inspection.

Meanwhile, the Portuguese officers, who were listening to the Joseon military official through the interpreter, exchanged surprised glances.

“60 shots per battle?”

“Do Joseon people fight all day long?”

“Even so, 60 shots are too much.”

The Portuguese officers shook their heads in disbelief.

* * *

Looking at the battles that took place in Europe during this period, riflemen deployed in battle would often hold two lead bullets in their mouths. This was for quick and smooth reloading, and because they rarely fired more than two shots.

Of course, they carried around tubes containing one bullet and one charge of powder, nicknamed the ’12 Apostles,’ but two shots were the maximum unless it was a truly fierce battle.

This situation arose due to the reloading method and the limited range of the weapons.

Unless there was solid cover, riflemen were not given enough time to reload more than two shots.

* * *

It was because of this context that the Portuguese officers could not understand what the Joseon military official had said.

“It seems like an exaggeration no matter how I think about it.”

“Doesn’t it?”

In the end, they decided not to trust the Joseon military official’s words.

If they had known the true nature of the Joseon army’s ‘real’ Gapsik rifles [an improved matchlock rifle], the character of the Joseon people themselves, and the tactics of the Joseon army, their conclusion would have been very different.

The ‘copper percussion cap,’ or primer, replaced three steps in the reloading process—opening the priming pan, pouring in priming powder, and closing the pan. In addition, the rifling in the barrel ensured greater accuracy and longer range. And the oiled paper wrapping the powder and bullet made reloading easier.

Finally, the Joseon army’s defense-oriented tactics provided safe cover for the riflemen.

And the Joseon people’s characteristic impatience led to a faster reloading speed than that of riflemen from any other country.

* * *

Thus, the Portuguese merchant fleet, loaded with the ordered firearms, auxiliary equipment, and other Joseon-made goods, set sail after only a brief rest.

Hwang, having received the report, looked at the ministers.

“They seem determined, judging by how quickly they’re moving.”

The ministers all nodded in agreement.

“That is correct.”

“The discord between Spain and Portugal has deepened, and it seems Portugal has finally made up its mind.”

Hwang and the ministers were anticipating that Portugal was about to engage in a war with Spain.

They had heard that the two countries and their neighbors were in serious conflict over control of the Mediterranean and the African continent.

Without knowing what Cosimo de Medici of Florence had secretly accomplished, that was the most reasonable conclusion.

* * *

June of the 28th year of Sejong.

On the northeastern border of Joseon, the Oirat [Mongolian group] and Joseon armies were meeting.

“Here are 120 siege cannons and 900 fire bombs, along with the necessary gunpowder.”

“Confirmed. Here is the payment.”

The representatives of the Oirat and Joseon began to check the items they had brought.

Surrounded by Oirat warriors and Joseon cavalry glaring at each other, the envoys from both sides completed the verification process without incident and exchanged polite greetings.

“It was a good deal.”

“We feel the same. We hope it will be of great help in catching the bandits.”

“Thank you.”

With those farewells exchanged, both sides turned their backs.

* * *

-The transaction with the Oirat has been successfully completed.

Hwang, having received the report, looked at Heo Hu.

“Please organize an envoy.”

“I intend to go myself.”

At Heo Hu’s answer, Hwang, as well as all the ministers, looked at Heo Hu with dubious expressions.

Heo Hu was the son of Heo Jo, who had risen to the position of Second State Councilor. Like his father, who was synonymous with ‘stubbornness, principles, and always speaking his mind,’ Heo Hu also had strong tendencies in that direction.

In the end, Hwang had to ask directly.

“You have to deceive the Emperor. Are you sure you’re alright with that?”

“Why should I worry about someone else’s Emperor?”

At Heo Hu’s answer, Hwang felt relieved and came to a conclusion.

“I’m counting on you.”

* * *

Fifteen days later, Heo Hu visited the Forbidden City to have an audience with Emperor Xuande [Ming Dynasty Emperor].

“Thank you for your trouble in coming all the way here despite your age.”

“Your Imperial Majesty’s grace is boundless. Long live, long live, long long live.”

As he shouted ‘Long live,’ Heo Hu subtly examined Emperor Xuande’s complexion. It was disrespectful to look directly at the face of the monarch, so he checked Emperor Xuande’s complexion while shouting ‘Long live.’

‘His complexion is even worse than the report said.’

The face of Emperor Xuande, receiving Heo Hu’s greetings, was deeply marked by illness.

“It hasn’t been long since the regular envoy visited, but suddenly an envoy, and that too, someone who can be said to be the Minister of Rites of Joseon, has come. Is there some misfortune in Joseon?”

At Emperor Xuande’s question, Heo Hu carefully opened his mouth.

“I have come personally because there is an important matter to report to Your Majesty regarding the Oirat.”

At Heo Hu’s words, Emperor Xuande, who had been leaning back on the throne, straightened his posture.

“Regarding the Oirat? Tell me what it is.”

“Yes.”

At Emperor Xuande’s command, Heo Hu reported the sale of cannons to the Oirat.

“…Therefore, although the number of 120 is extremely, very extremely small, it may cause concern to the suzerain state [dominant state], and the Crown Prince sent me because he was worried that Your Majesty might feel uncomfortable with our Joseon.”

“The Crown Prince of Joseon sent you, you say?”

“That is correct.”

Among the Ming officials present, the Minister of War stepped forward at Heo Hu’s answer.

“Your Majesty, I would like to ask the envoy of Joseon a question. Please allow me to do so.”

“Granted.”

The Minister of War, having obtained Emperor Xuande’s permission, immediately questioned Heo Hu.

“Why did Joseon sell as many as 120 cannons to the Oirat Tartars!”

As the Minister of War pressed him, Heo Hu immediately retorted.

“The number 120 may seem large, but it is truly not a large number! Even the smallest of Joseon’s naval vessels carries 20 cannons. It is only enough to arm 6 ships, and those are the smallest ships!”

The Ming officials, including Emperor Xuande, nodded unconsciously as they listened to Heo Hu’s reply.

‘Ah, these are the kind of people Joseon people are.’

* * *

In the eyes of the Ming people, ‘Joseon army = cannons.’ Joseon was a country where even the smallest garrison, if it was of a certain size, had at least 3-4 cannons deployed.

The same was true for the navy. Among the Ming navy, the Joseon navy’s love for cannons was famous.

‘If they could load them, those Joseon sailors would load cannons even on rafts.’

* * *

“They said, ‘We intend to purchase cannons to suppress the bandits who are harming our trade!’ So, our Joseon had no justification to refuse to sell! And the number was only 120! However, we are informing Your Majesty because the Oirat might make a foolish decision and cause concern to the suzerain state!”

The Minister of War had to close his mouth at Heo Hu’s claim. The justification was clear, and it was difficult to refute the statement that it was not a large number by Joseon standards.

“Minister of War, step back. It is true that there is nothing unfair in the envoy’s words.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Emperor Xuande, having dismissed the Minister of War, asked Heo Hu.

“So, the Crown Prince of Joseon sent you?”

“Yes.”

“Because he was worried that we might misunderstand?”

“Yes.”

“Then didn’t he think that it would have been better to report it in advance before selling them? It’s not like the famous Crown Prince of Joseon to act this way.”

Emperor Xuande’s words were mixed with suspicion and sarcasm. He was suspicious that Hwang, who was known to be intelligent, had made such a decision, and sarcastic that if that was really the case, he was not as capable as the rumors suggested.

Heo Hu immediately replied to Emperor Xuande’s words.

“The Crown Prince said this: ‘Joseon is a small country. Shouldn’t we take whatever wealth we can get?'”

“Puhahahahaha!”

As soon as Heo Hu’s answer was finished, Emperor Xuande burst into laughter. Emperor Xuande, who laughed so hard that tears streamed down his face, wiped the tears from his eyes and replied.

“He’s just like the rumored Crown Prince. He’s truly a Crown Prince. Haa~.”

Emperor Xuande, catching his breath from laughing, said to Heo Hu.

“The envoy is listening, so tell the Crown Prince this: It is truly commendable and admirable that the Crown Prince is concerned about the suzerain state’s worries. Also, it is also admirable to strive to make the country prosperous. However, always keep in mind the saying ‘penny wise, pound foolish’ [being economical in small matters but wasteful in large ones]. Convey these words without missing a single one.”

At Emperor Xuande’s command, Heo Hu bowed his head and replied.

“I will surely do so.”

Emperor Xuande, having heard Heo Hu’s answer, made a decision.

“Alright. I will not hold Joseon accountable for this matter. However, keep in mind that there will be no next time.”

“I will engrave it in my heart! Long live, long live, long long live!”

* * *

Having finished their business, Heo Hu and his party left the Forbidden City after only a brief rest. That night, Emperor Xuande looked at the map hanging in his room and smiled.

“It seems the Crown Prince of Joseon has been using his head, but it seems to have become a good opportunity for me as well.”

Emperor Xuande’s gaze was fixed on Liaodong [region in northeastern China] on the map.

“Thanks to the Oirat’s movements, a favorable wind seems to be blowing. If things go well, I might be able to deal with all the troublemakers at once.”