Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 550

550. The Eve of War (3)

“Hoo~.”

Hyang sighed as he reviewed the list of equipment requested by the military in preparation for a possible, or rather, almost certain war.

“The Ministry of Economy and Finance will throw a fit.”

Supplying the equipment the military demanded required releasing a massive amount of additional budget. The problem was the Ministry of Economy and Finance. Persuading them, who regarded ‘balanced budget’ as equivalent to a sacred teaching, would not be easy.

Of course, the Ministry of Economy and Finance was well aware of the urgency of the situation, but they would certainly try to cut as much as possible.

“Of course, that means they are doing their job properly, but the problem is that it drives the one on the receiving end crazy….”

As Hyang pondered the debate he would have with Kim Jeom and the Minister of Economy and Finance, he tapped a spot on the report with his finger.

“This part will be a problem right away. But, I can’t back down.”

-Unify the cartridge cases for Eul-sik rifles and Hwachas [multiple rocket launchers] with copper alloy.

This was the most basic item for which Hyang was burning with fighting spirit.

* * *

With the supply of breech-loading Eul-sik rifles and Hwachas, paper cartridges were being replaced with cartridge cases.

However, the cartridge cases currently used by the Joseon army were a kind of hybrid. Like 21st-century shotgun shells, only the base plate containing the primer was copper, and the rest of the body was made of oiled paper.

For Eul-sik Hwachas, where cartridge ejection and loading were done by the force of a mechanical device attached to the gun, and for Eul-sik rifles used in humid areas like the sea, cartridge cases made entirely of copper alloy were used. However, for regular infantry or cavalry, only bullets using copper-paper hybrid cartridge cases were supplied.

This was due to economic reasons.

Copper was scarce in Joseon.

Copper mines were discovered on Daeseol Island, and copper mines were also discovered within Joseon. However, neither place was very profitable.

In addition, as Joseon developed, the demand for copper continued to increase, starting with tableware. Thanks to this, the search for copper mines was still ongoing.

In this situation, making even the cartridge cases for bullets used by regular infantry out of copper was an unreasonable situation.

However, the copper-paper hybrid cartridge case was quite tricky. It was made of materials that were difficult to combine firmly—metal and paper—so a lot of care had to be taken in its production.

Production efficiency was also an issue. The process of making the body of the cartridge case out of oiled paper still required a lot of manual labor.

Attempts were made to make it using machines, but if defects occurred, there was the problem of recycling, as they could only be used as tinder.

In the end, the process of rolling paper to make the body of the cartridge case had to be done manually, one by one.

The paper cartridge cases made in this way were also difficult to manage. Of course, there were no particular problems when used in places with proper storage facilities like Jin and Bo [military fortresses].

The problem was when crossing the Yalu River for a counterattack. It was certain that they would quickly deteriorate in places without proper storage facilities.

Therefore, Hyang planned to unify at least the troops to be deployed in combat with bullets using all-copper cartridge cases on this occasion.

* * *

“Originally, I was thinking of replacing them in about 5 years, but some damn bastards are making me do something that gives me a headache….”

Hyang continued to complain, tapping the problematic item with his finger.

* * *

Hyang had no intention of using the problematic hybrid cartridge cases for long.

“Considering the current state of development, there won’t be any major financial problems even if we replace them all in about 5 years.”

According to Hyang’s plan, all-copper alloy cartridge cases, not hybrid cartridge cases, would be made in 5 years.

It was also decided to not only change the material of the cartridge case but also to replace black powder with smokeless powder and reduce the caliber of the bullet.

To reduce the potential 시행착오 [trial and error] that could arise in the process, bullets made experimentally and rifles tailored to them were also being tested through the Tiger Hunter Corps.

-The Tiger Hunter Corps must operate in harsh environments. The current bullets are not suitable for that purpose, so new bullets and rifles will be provided.

When Sejong approved Hyang’s proposal in this way, Kim Jeom naturally objected.

“I admit that there is a problem with the bullets using 유지 (oiled paper) cartridge cases. However, I think it is unnecessary to make new bullets when there are bullets using copper cartridge cases.”

Hyang stepped forward to answer Kim Jeom’s criticism.

“The mission of the Tiger Hunter Corps is to ambush and snipe. The gunpowder in the bullets currently used in Eul-sik Hwachas and Eul-sik rifles has the disadvantage of revealing the location immediately due to its thick smoke. Therefore, we will use 덕갑식 gunpowder [a type of smokeless gunpowder]. In addition, we will reduce the size of the bullet to increase its power even more. Just like 편전 (Pyeonjeon, a type of Korean arrow) [a short arrow used with a guide].”

Kim Jeom had no choice but to agree with Hyang’s explanation.

Thanks to Kim Jeom’s agreement, new bullets and rifles were provided to the Tiger Hunter Corps. In the case of bullets, the length was similar, but the caliber was reduced from half an inch (about 1.5cm) to 2 할 5 푼 (about 7.5mm) [Korean measurement units], but its power was 오히려 superior to the existing bullets. To put it simply, it showed a similar power to the rifle bullets used until World War I.

In the case of rifles, rolling blocks, which were 후보 [candidates] for Eul-sik rifles, were modified and made.

Of course, it was equipped with a vernier-type sighting device suitable for long-range sniping, as it was being 지급되는 [provided] to the Tiger Hunter Corps.

“Sniping is 망원경 (telescope) [telescope], but… the current 망원경 (telescope) [telescope] is not good…”

Hyang could not hide his disappointment as he looked at the vernier-type sighting device.

However, even with such development, the 상의 왜곡 (image distortion) [image distortion] of the current 망원경 (telescope) [telescope] was too severe to be used for sniping. It properly played the role of making things far away look bigger, but 정밀 조준 (precision aiming) [precision aiming] was impossible. (Note 1)

Therefore, Hyang adopted a vernier-type sighting device as a 정밀 조준장치 (precision aiming device) [precision aiming device]. (Note 2)

Hyang’s timetable was as follows.

-Replace with new bullets and new rifles within 5 years.

-Replace Eul-sik Hwachas with medium machine guns at the level of Maxim machine guns within 10 years.

-If we do this, Joseon will not be 밀리지 [pushed back] in military power against 명 (Ming) [Ming Dynasty]. Then, we will naturally 벗어나 [break away] from 사대 (serving the great) [policy of serving a larger nation] and 칭제건원 (establish an empire) [declare imperial status].

Hyang’s 10-year plan was completely ruined by the war in Europe and Seon Deokje’s 꼼수 (trick) [scheme].

* * *

Fully prepared, Hyang met with Kim Jeom and the Minister of Economy and Finance.

Kim Jeom and the Minister of Economy and Finance, who carefully examined the purchase list presented by the military and Hyang, sighed deeply.

“Hoo~.”

“Haa~.”

Kim Jeom, who sighed as if the floor would collapse, licked his lips and opened his mouth.

“쩝! [tsk] We have to spend a considerable amount of money, but it cannot be compared to the urgency of the situation, so we will prepare immediately.”

Hyang was delighted at the unexpectedly willing acceptance.

“Thank you so much! With this, we will be able to prepare thoroughly!”

“I am just doing what I should do as a 신하 (subject) [official].”

Following the Minister of Economy and Finance’s words, Kim Jeom added.

“That’s right. Rather, if we take this opportunity and do our best, our Joseon can 끊고 [cut] the shackles of 사대 (serving the great) [policy of serving a larger nation] and 자립 (become independent) [become independent], so how can we oppose it? We must 자강자립 (strengthen ourselves and become independent) [strengthen ourselves and become independent] on this occasion.”

Kim Jeom’s words were full of accumulated emotions.

Hyang nodded slightly at Kim Jeom’s words and muttered inwardly.

‘These guys have a lot 쌓인 (accumulated) [pent-up feelings].’

From the 영락제 (Yongle Emperor) [Yongle Emperor] era, 명 (Ming) [Ming Dynasty] had exerted various pressures to ensure the safety of the country and weaken Joseon’s capabilities.

Therefore, there were hardly any 원로 대신 (elderly ministers) [elderly ministers] who were 호의적인 (friendly) [friendly] to 명 (Ming) [Ming Dynasty].

Anyway, the matter was settled in a warm atmosphere as Kim Jeom and the Minister of Economy and Finance immediately accepted the additional spending plan.

The 사관 (historian) [historian] who recorded all of this added the following words.

-Therefore, the 좌부총리 (Left Vice Premier) [Left Vice Premier] and the Minister of Economy and Finance, who received the 동궁 (Crown Prince)’s [Crown Prince’s] budget plan, immediately announced that they would spend it.

The 사관 (historian) [historian] says.

The current 흉흉한 (ominous) [ominous] atmosphere is due to 요동 (Liaodong) [Liaodong] and 명 (Ming) [Ming Dynasty]. Our Joseon has never 어긴 (violated) [violated] the 예 (rites) [rites] of 사대 (serving the great) [policy of serving a larger nation] and has done its best in 교린 (neighborly relations) [neighborly relations], yet this has happened. How can we not say that this is a 무도한 (outrageous) [outrageous] thing? It is said that 만사 사필귀정 (everything returns to the right) [everything returns to the right] and 인과응보 (cause and effect) [cause and effect]. They will have to pay the 응당한 죗값 (deserved price) [deserved price].

By the way, it’s a bit 시원섭섭하다 (bittersweet) [bittersweet] that the Minister of Economy and Finance and the 좌부총리 (Left Vice Premier) [Left Vice Premier] are 넘어가 (passing over) [agreeing] so willingly.

This is not it….

* * *

As the 재경부 (Ministry of Economy and Finance) [Ministry of Economy and Finance] 넘어가 (passed over) [agreed] willingly, Joseon’s response began to gain speed.

“How is the preparation for the mobilization of the reserves going?”

Cho Mal-saeng answered immediately to Hyang’s question.

“The regular training conducted during the 농한기 (off-season for farming) [off-season for farming] has already begun. Through this, we are reconfirming the 병적 (military register) [military register] and proceeding with the 편제 (organization) [organization] work. If a situation arises in the spring, we will be able to immediately 전파 (spread) [spread] the 비상령 (emergency decree) [emergency decree] and 투입 (deploy) [deploy].”

“Will the supply of 병장기 (weapons) [weapons] and other supplies be late?”

“We have 협력 (cooperated) [cooperated] with the 재경부 (Ministry of Economy and Finance) [Ministry of Economy and Finance] to 섭외 (recruit) [recruit] a suitable 상단 (merchant group) [merchant group] and 계약 (contracted) [contracted].”

“Please keep in mind that you must not 놓치지 (miss) [miss] the 때 (time) [deadline].”

Cho Mal-saeng bowed his head and answered to Hyang’s 당부 (request) [request].

“각골명심 (I will engrave it in my bones) [I will engrave it in my bones].”

Hyang, who 점검 (checked) [checked] the 병력 동원 (troop mobilization) [troop mobilization] issue, turned to Hwang Hee.

“If something happens, there will be those who 퍼뜨리는 (spread) [spread] 참언 (slander) [slander]. And there will be those who 취하려는 (try to take) [try to take] 부당한 이득 (unfair advantage) [unfair advantage] through 매점매석 (hoarding) [hoarding] or other 편법 (illegal methods) [illegal methods]. We must 반드시 (certainly) [certainly] 찾아내 (find) [find] and 죄를 물어야 (hold them accountable) [hold them accountable].”

Hwang Hee bowed his head at Hyang’s words.

“Yes, I will also call the 포도장 (police chiefs) [police chiefs] of the 포청 (police station) [police station] and 당부 (request) [request] that part. But….”

Hwang Hee stopped speaking for a moment and cautiously 이어 (continued) [continued] his words.

“What are you going to do with the 관노 (government slaves) [government slaves] 배치된 (assigned) [assigned] to the 광산 (mines) [mines]?”

“관노 (government slaves) [government slaves] in the 광산 (mines) [mines]….”

Hyang’s face 딱딱하게 굳었다 (stiffened) [stiffened] at Hwang Hee’s question.

The 관노 (government slaves) [government slaves] that Hwang Hee mentioned were the families of those who 일으켰던 (caused) [caused] the 지난 (last) 기유반란 (Giyu Rebellion) [Giyu Rebellion]. At that time, the 주동자 (ringleaders) [ringleaders] were all 참형 (beheaded) [beheaded], and their families became 관노 (government slaves) [government slaves] and were 노역형 (forced labor) [forced labor] in the 광산 (mines) [mines].

If you were to 꼽으라 (pick) [pick] the most 비참한 (miserable) [miserable] people in Joseon right now, it would 당연 (naturally) [naturally] be them.

Other 관노 (government slaves) [government slaves] or 사노비 (private slaves) [private slaves] could 꿈꿀 (dream) [dream] of 혹시 모를 (possible) [possible] 면천 (being freed from slavery) [being freed from slavery], and even if they were not 면천 (freed from slavery) [freed from slavery], they were 상당히 (quite) [quite] 인간적인 대우 (treated humanely) [treated humanely].

However, they were 벗어나 (free) [free] from all of that. Men had to do 채굴작업 (mining work) [mining work] in the 제일 깊은 곳 (deepest parts) [deepest parts] of the 광산 (mines) [mines], and women were 동원 (mobilized) [mobilized] to 나르는 일 (carry) [carry] the 채굴된 (mined) [mined] 광물 (minerals) [minerals].

What made their situation even worse was 지독한 차별 (severe discrimination) [severe discrimination]. Even if they did the 똑같은 일 (same work) [same work], 양인 (commoner) [commoner] 광부 (miners) [miners] or 부녀자 (women) [women] received 두둑한 임금 (generous wages) [generous wages], and even if they 당하더라도 (suffered) [suffered] an 사고 (accident) [accident], they could receive 후한 보상 (generous compensation) [generous compensation]. However, they had 전혀 (none) [none] of that.

They just had to 죽어라 일만 해야 (work to death) [work to death] until they died, or until the 임금 (king)’s [king’s] 선처 (leniency) [leniency].

And, Sejong had 전혀 (no) [no] intention of 선처 (being lenient) [being lenient] to them.

‘In this situation, what do I do? What is the 정답 (right answer) [right answer]?’

Based on 21st century standards, the 정답 (right answer) [right answer] would be to 행함 (grant) [grant] 사면 (amnesty) [amnesty] immediately, but now was 전제군주제 (absolute monarchy) [absolute monarchy] Joseon. And, in a situation like now, 사면 (granting amnesty) [granting amnesty] to them was a 위험한 도박수 (risky gamble) [risky gamble].

‘어쩔 수 없군 (I have no choice) [I have no choice]. 욕을 먹겠지만 (I’ll get cursed at) [I’ll get cursed at], but….’

Hyang sighed 길게 (deeply) [deeply] and 답했다 (answered) [answered] Hwang Hee.

“우선 (First) [First], 강화하도록 (strengthen) [strengthen] the 경비 (security) [security] of the 광산 (mines) [mines] where the 관노 (government slaves) [government slaves] are.”

“예 (Yes) [Yes].”

“필요하다면 (If necessary) [If necessary], 준비해 주시기 바랍니다 (prepare) [prepare] a 방안 (plan) [plan] to 옮기는 (move) [move] them 모조리 (all) [all] to the 광산 (mines) [mines] of 대설도 (Daeseol Island) [Daeseol Island].”

“명을 받듭니다 (I receive your command) [I receive your command].”

* * *

Note 1) Think of the scene in the movie ‘패트리어트 (The Patriot)’ [The Patriot] starring 멜 깁슨 (Mel Gibson) [Mel Gibson] where British officers use 망원경 (telescopes) [telescopes].

Note 2)

It is the 조준장치 (sighting device) [sighting device] 장착된 (mounted) [mounted] on the 총목 (gunstock) [gunstock] part in the 그림 (picture) [picture] above.

* * *

Author’s words.

Hello?

This is 국뽕 (Gukppong) [Gukppong] who 연재하는 (serializes) [serializes] ‘블랙기업조선 (Black Company Joseon) [Black Company Joseon].’

The 연재 (serialization) [serialization] has been 자주 늦었습니다 (frequently late) [frequently late] these days. This part is due to 저 (me) [me].

I have been experiencing 심각한 두통 (severe headaches) [severe headaches] and 소화장애 (digestive problems) [digestive problems] since Sunday, so the 작업속도 (work speed) [work speed] has been 많이 늦어졌습니다 (greatly delayed) [greatly delayed].

I went to the 병원 (hospital) [hospital] and received a 진단 (diagnosis) [diagnosis] that there were 별다른 이상 (no particular abnormalities) [no particular abnormalities].

It seems that 스트레스 (stress) [stress] is the reason.

I apologize for the 연재 (serialization) [serialization] being 늦어 (late) [late] and will do my 최선을 다해 (best) [best] to 지키겠습니다 (keep) [keep] the 마감 (deadline) [deadline].