Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 57

Jjanggeura

Hello, Night.

57. New Weapons (5)

Although it was decided to carve large spiral grooves inside the long rifle barrel, the artisans fell into another dilemma.

“Which direction should we twist them?”

As they pondered the direction of the rifling, Hyang came to a conclusion.

“Wouldn’t it work to make one with the rotation of the clock hands and one in the opposite direction, when viewed from the muzzle?”

At those words, Choi Hae-san opened his abacus and began calculating.

“Four types of rotation speeds from half a turn to two turns, two types of rotation directions, and at least five rifles to check the deviation… That makes 40 rifles. It will take some time.”

“We must persevere.”

At Hyang’s words, the artisans present sighed softly. However, no one complained. The work was hard, but firing the rifles was surprisingly cathartic, and there was a certain fun in seeing the results.

Of course, Choi Hae-san and Lee Cheon, caught in the middle, had more headaches than fun.

In the subsequent tests, all 40 rifles performed beyond expectations. All 40 fired more than five shots without any problems, and there was little decrease in power.

However, an unexpected result emerged during the analysis of the test results: the accuracy was higher than expected. Elated by this unforeseen outcome, Choi Hae-san submitted a report and suggested:

“Before, hitting the target at 70 paces with 5 out of 20 shots was considered lucky. But in this test, all 40 rifles hit the target at 70 paces. This requires further research!”

“Indeed. Let’s do it! Prepare yourselves.”

“Yes, Your Highness!”

Watching Choi Hae-san leave excitedly, Hyang clenched his fist.

‘Yes! They took the bait!’

To find the cause of the unexpected result and how to utilize it, Choi Hae-san, Lee Cheon, and the artisans fired hundreds of rounds.

Through this process, the military officials and artisans learned several things:

-A rotation of 1.5 turns for the grooves inside the rifle barrel produced the best performance.

-When fired after being firmly secured in the fixture, the bullet hit a target up to 500 paces (approximately 600m) away. However, this only meant hitting the target board, not a bullseye.

-This did not increase the range of the rifle. Regardless of the presence of rifling, 2 don (approximately 7.5g) of Eul-sik gunpowder could propel a 5 don (approximately 17g) bullet up to 800 paces (approximately 960m).

-When hitting a target at 500 paces, the bullet did not penetrate the iron plate used as the target. However, the dented state of the iron plate suggested that it could inflict significant injury on the enemy.

-The direction of the rifling should be consistent with the direction in which the rifle body and cap are tightened. If reversed, the rifle body and cap will loosen with repeated firing.

“Your Highness, should we experiment with increasing the amount of gunpowder?”

Choi Hae-san and Lee Cheon showed enthusiasm, but Hyang shook his head.

“It is highly likely to repeat the problems of the existing rifles.”

“Ah….”

“Instead, let’s systematize the results we have obtained.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Hyang, Choi Hae-san, and Lee Cheon categorized the investigated results as follows:

-Maximum Range: The farthest distance the bullet travels when fired with the specified gunpowder and bullet. The power of the bullet is almost non-existent.

-Maximum Effective Range: The distance at which at least 30% accuracy can be expected when aiming and firing. However, the power must be maintained at a level that can inflict a certain degree of injury on the target.

-Effective Range: The maximum distance at which trained riflemen can hit the target when aiming and firing.

According to the classification made by Hyang, Choi Hae-san, and Lee Cheon, the performance of the rifle with rifling was: maximum range 800 paces, maximum effective range 350 paces, and effective range 250 paces.

While Hyang, Choi Hae-san, and Lee Cheon were expressing considerable satisfaction with the results, the officials and artisans of the research institute were pondering the homework given by Hyang.

“‘Analyze the reason why the performance of the long rifle suddenly improved.’…”

“Looking at the test results so far, the only reason for this dramatic increase in performance is the rifling. But why did this result occur…”

“That’s the problem…”

The most likely suspect was the ‘rifling,’ but the officials and artisans could not easily figure out what it had done.

While the officials and artisans were pondering, a siin (失人, arrow maker) from the Military Arms Bureau offered an opinion.

“Doesn’t the rifling make the bullet spin?”

“Make the bullet spin? Tell me more.”

The siin explained in more detail, even using gestures.

“When we attach feathers to arrows, we attach them slightly askew. Then, when the arrow leaves the bowstring, it spins like this. Then what happens? The arrow flies straight. It is less affected by crosswinds.”

“Really?”

Considering it plausible, the officials and artisans began testing with various bullet sizes. As a result, it was confirmed that the bullet, engaged with the protruding part of the rifling, rotated, leading to improved accuracy.

The knowledge discovered in this way and the data obtained during the testing process were all documented, and these were strictly stored in the vault located in the deepest part of Donggeupjeon.

“This is a top secret matter related to the defense of our Joseon, so everyone must be careful to maintain secrecy.”

At Hyang’s warning, the officials and artisans replied in unison.

“We will engrave it in our hearts!”

* * *

This secrecy was maintained even as the audit was underway. Choi Hae-san explained the process of making the rifles to Sejong, but he did not reveal the part about the rifling.

Sejong learned about this part after the audit was over. Choi Hae-san, who had a private audience with Sejong, submitted a written report, and Sejong nodded after reading the document.

“I understand why the Crown Prince and you kept silent until the end. Then I must follow suit. Court attendant, bring a brazier.”

Sejong threw the report he had finished reading into the brazier and burned it.

Meanwhile, while Choi Hae-san was reporting to Sejong in writing, Hyang was muttering while looking at the related records.

“If the performance of the long rifle becomes known, it will surely be leaked. Whether it is captured during battle, stolen, or sold off for money. And they will happily copy it. But when they try to understand the principle and attempt to improve it, our Joseon will be one step ahead. That’s why we’re pushing them like this.”

* * *

“I say again, you have created a truly excellent weapon.”

“We plan to standardize the rifles used by the riflemen with this Gap-sik long rifle.”

As Hwang Hee was about to say something, Sejong raised his hand to stop Hwang Hee from speaking.

“Hmm… It would be good to gradually deploy them starting from the northern region. Good! Let’s review that plan.”

“Your benevolence is boundless!”

When Sejong made a positive conclusion regarding the production and deployment of the Gap-sik long rifle, Hyang, Choi Hae-san, Lee Cheon, and other officials bowed in unison and shouted, ‘Your benevolence is boundless!'”

“So. Is this the rifle you have decided on?”

“No. There is another type of rifle. The mounted rifle (馬上銃筒).”

“Hoo?”

As Sejong showed interest, Choi Hae-san gestured. At Choi Hae-san’s gesture, a military officer wearing blue armor entered.

“The color of the armor is…”

“It is a new type of armor that we developed together this time. I will explain it later.”

“Is that so? Then proceed.”

At Sejong’s command, Choi Hae-san continued.

“What I will show Your Highness this time is the Gap-sik mounted small rifle (甲式馬上小銃筒).”

As Choi Hae-san finished speaking, the military officer opened the lid of the long leather pouch he was wearing on his right waist and took out a silver rifle, folded his arm, and held it with the muzzle pointing upwards.

“I want to see it in detail.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

At Sejong’s command, the military officer respectfully held out the rifle on both hands. Sejong, who was examining the rifle handed over by the military officer, stopped his gaze at the round iron tube in the middle of the rifle.

“Six hyeol (穴, holes)? Could it be that this rifle can fire six shots?”

“That is correct.”

“Heo!”

Greatly surprised, Sejong looked back at Hyang.

Seeing Sejong’s surprised eyes, Hyang smiled and replied.

“It is one of the masterpieces of Area 51.”

‘Of course, the design was originally there.’

What the military officer was holding was a Colt 1860 Army, with the caliber modified to suit the Joseon military situation. It was something Hyang had been preparing as a successor to the Kentucky Rifle when he lived in the 21st century.

At Hyang’s reply, Sejong returned the rifle to the military officer and said,

“I want to see how it shoots.”

“Yes.”

In the ensuing demonstration, the military officer hit all six shots on a target board set up 30 paces (approximately 36m) away. The target board, retrieved and brought back by the artisans, had six clean holes in it. The artisans turned the target board around. Behind the red cloth with studs, iron plates were carefully embedded.

Sejong and the ministers carefully examined the target board. Jo Mal-saeng, who was examining the target board, told Sejong his impressions.

“At least the Jurchens and Japanese pirates who come within 30 paces will see hell.”

“Do you think so?”

“Yes!”

At Jo Mal-saeng’s assertion, Sejong looked at Choi Hae-san and Lee Cheon. Their faces, hardened by their experience as military officers, were full of confidence. Sejong nodded, confirming their faces.

“I understand well from your expressions. Then, about the armor…”

“I am sorry, Your Highness. There is still a firearm to introduce.”

“Still?”

Sejong’s face turned slightly pale. Even the rifles he had seen so far showed the effort that the Crown Prince and those under him had put in.

If gunpowder and rifles could be properly supplied, securing the safety of this Joseon would be as easy as flipping a hand.

‘No. If I try a little harder, I can restore the lost territories of the old Three Han, as Brother Yangnyeong said!’

As he forcibly calmed down the sprouting greed, Choi Hae-san was once again fueling the fire.

Sejong, who was about to leave his seat, sat down again at Choi Hae-san’s words.

“General! Proceed!”

“I am deeply grateful. The weapon to be introduced this time is a hwatan (火彈, fire bomb). We must move the location.”

“…Lead the way.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Sejong moved his steps, guided by Choi Hae-san.

“It’s quite a distance?”

At Sejong’s words, who was slightly out of breath, Hyang explained the reason.

“The place is what it is…”

“Should I have ridden a horse?”

“Father. A man’s two legs are like the pillars of a house. The house must be strong if the pillars are strong…”

As Hyang was about to give a long speech about health, Sejong hurriedly stopped him.

“…I’ll walk, I’ll walk.”

“If your legs are strong, you can also prevent erectile…”

“I said I’ll walk! You, son, you talk too much! Every time, it’s about erectile this and that… How did I give birth to such a son….”

Even while grumbling, Sejong was putting more strength into his steps and moving forward.

* * *

The place that Choi Hae-san and Lee Cheon guided Sejong to was a larger place than the previous demonstration site. Not only was it larger, but also higher and thicker earthen walls were built.

In front of the platform where Sejong and the ministers were seated, a wall made of sacks filled with earth was higher and thicker than before. The foothills of Mount Mokmyeok were beginning on the opposite side, and at least 50 jangs (approximately 150m) square of bare ground was exposed.

“Did you cut down the trees?”

“Yes, to prevent fires.”

“Oh, dear….”

As Sejong and the ministers took their seats on the platform, the artisans and soldiers who were waiting brought a large table and soon brought various instruments and placed them on the table.

Choi Hae-san, who was next to the table, began to introduce the new weapon.

“The hwatan (火彈, fire bomb) that I will show you from now on is a hwatan fired from a wangu (碗口, mortar).”

Choi Hae-san pointed to the round iron hwatan with his baton.

“We have named this hwatan Bigyeokjincheonle (飛擊震天雷, Flying Thunderclap Bomb).”

“Bigyeokjincheonle…. Is it a type of Jincheonle?”

“What is Jincheonle?”

“I have only seen it in records, but it is said to be similar to Jillyeopotong. It is recorded that Song and Jin used it.”

“Is Bigyeok attached because it uses a wangu?”

At Choi Hae-san’s explanation, the ministers shared their opinions, recalling their memories. Watching the reactions of those ministers, Hyang smiled bitterly.

‘When it comes to Munjong, it’s Singijeon and Hwacha, but you can’t miss the cliché! The cliché of clichés! Turtle Ship on the sea, Bigyeokjincheonle on the land!’