Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 574

574. Going to War! Charge, Turtle Ship (6)

The battle, which stretched for half a day, concluded around sunset.

It was a significant engagement, later known as the ‘West Sea Great Battle’.

(As a side note, in the distant future, this ‘West Sea Great Battle’ became a popular subject for movies and dramas.)

While a handful of Daebok ships and medium vessels, barely afloat, hastily retreated with smaller craft, the Joseon fleet reorganized to assess the aftermath.

They deployed the small boats attached to the battleships to rescue surviving Ming Dynasty sailors and gather spoils of war, such as the Ming navy’s flags.

Amidst the small boats’ activity, the battleships buzzed with activity.

Remaining gunpowder bags for propulsion were collected and stored separately, and the fuses of the shells were detached and secured.

On battleships damaged by Ming shelling, soldiers worked to reinforce the damaged areas with emergency repairs.

The Gyeonggi Naval Commander frowned slightly, observing the signal flags raised by the battleships undergoing repairs.

“Many ships sustained damage.”

The captain responded to the Commander’s observation.

“But none of our battleships sank, did they? Some damage is unavoidable when the enemy also has cannons. Besides, these weren’t disorganized pirates like we’re used to.”

The Gyeonggi Naval Commander nodded in agreement.

* * *

The Ming Dynasty navy they faced this time was undoubtedly elite. Even under the Joseon navy’s relentless shelling, they pressed their attack until the very end, even as allied ships around them burned or sank.

Their fierce charge only faltered when the flagship sank, disrupting their command, and Maeng Jin-ho’s actions further broke their formation.

Moreover, the Ming battleships’ cannons packed a punch. Though their range was shorter than the Joseon cannons, their power was considerable.

The Challenger-class and Haeung-class battleships boasted double hulls. They were constructed with sturdy Korean red pine and dense coniferous wood from the northeastern forests, arranged in two layers with the grain at a 45-degree angle for added strength.

Yet, in this battle, the Ming cannons managed to inflict damage on these robust hulls.

Ironically, Joseon was partly responsible for the Ming navy’s improved cannons.

The Ming’s cannons had become more powerful out of necessity, to contend with Joseon, the nation of ‘cannon fanatics’.

* * *

The Gyeonggi Naval Commander, still considering the captain’s words, noticed Maeng Jin-ho sailing past.

Maeng Jin-ho’s ship, with its roof and side windows now open after being tightly sealed during the battle, resonated with laughter and song.

“The monks are certainly lively….”

“Weren’t they the biggest contributors to today’s victory?”

“That’s true.”

The Gyeonggi Naval Commander, watching Maeng Jin-ho with a faint smile, turned back to the captain.

“In my report, I’ll request a plan to reinforce the battleships’ armor. It’s clear that cannons are becoming more prevalent and powerful, not just with us and the Ming, but in other countries as well. We need to strengthen our armor and improve our cannons.”

The captain cautiously inquired.

“Will the Ministry of Finance approve of that?”

“….”

* * *

The Gyeonggi Naval Commander’s report reached Hanseong [modern-day Seoul] swiftly.

“A great victory! The navy has achieved a great victory!”

Jo Mal-saeng, elated, presented the report to Hyang [the Crown Prince]. An official accompanying Jo Mal-saeng distributed handwritten copies to the other ministers.

“Oh! This is truly a joyous occasion!”

“We must inform the people widely!”

The ministers, reading the report of the great victory, suggested to Hyang with uncharacteristically bright expressions.

Every Joseon citizen knew that war had broken out between Ming and Joseon.

The people, gathering in small groups in neighborhoods and markets, discussed the situation with worried faces.

“Should I pack my bags….”

“What kind of jerk curses his ancestors for three generations! The country is in danger, and he’s only thinking of himself! Townspeople! Get the straw mat ready!” (referring to punishing someone in public)

“It’s a joke, a joke!”

“There’s a time and place for jokes!”

Although their loyalty to Sejong [the King] and Hyang prevented major unrest, the people were anxious.

Announcing the Joseon navy’s great victory would alleviate their concerns.

Hyang, considering the ministers’ proposal, nodded.

“Then let’s do it. Print this report and post it in government offices throughout Joseon… and send it to Father [the King] in Shinji immediately.”

“That is a wise decision!”

The ministers bowed in agreement.

The meeting, which began so warmly, soon turned frosty.

The change began with Kim Jeom.

“Minister of National Defense, do you believe it’s absolutely necessary to reinforce the battleships’ armor and improve the cannons right now, as the report suggests?”

“I believe it will be necessary sooner or later, even if not immediately.”

“That ‘sooner or later’ is the problem. Considering the current level of military spending and material consumption, it will take a considerable time to recover to a normal state even after the war ends. Perhaps we could postpone this to the future?”

Jo Mal-saeng’s face flushed at Kim Jeom’s suggestion.

“Our Ministry of National Defense is aware of the economic challenges. However, as the report states, Ming and other countries with cannons are developing stronger cannons. We can’t afford to stand still.”

“I understand that! I’m just suggesting we give ourselves a little more time!”

The verbal sparring between Kim Jeom, who controlled the treasury, and Jo Mal-saeng, who needed its resources, intensified.

Eventually, Hyang intervened.

“In my opinion, the Minister of Finance’s suggestion is reasonable this time. While the cannons of Ming and other countries are improving, they still lag behind ours. I believe we have sufficient time.”

Jo Mal-saeng’s expression soured, while Kim Jeom’s brightened.

However, their expressions reversed with Hyang’s next words.

“And reinforcing the battleships’ armor isn’t a priority either. The Challenger-class and Haeung-class battleships already possess sufficient defensive capabilities. Furthermore, their frames are too weak to support iron armor. We need to rethink the design and build the frame properly from the start.”

This was Hyang’s misunderstanding.

* * *

Before Hyang’s intervention, ironclad ships were created by adding iron armor and steam engines to existing battleships.

The frames of large ships like battleships were sturdy enough to handle the weight of considerable iron armor.

Although smaller than those battleships, the Challenger-class and Haeung-class battleships incorporated 21st-century technology.

However, Hyang had his own concerns.

‘Think of how much it cost to build those ships! Losses in battle are unavoidable, but we must avoid unnecessarily tampering with them and turning them into scrap metal!’

* * *

Kim Jeom asked, his face paling.

“Does creating a new frame from the beginning mean you’re considering building battleships like the Assault Turtle Ship again?”

“Perhaps?”

Kim Jeom immediately countered.

“What about simply adding iron plates to the Challenger-class and Haeung-class battleships?”

“As I just mentioned, there are several problems with that….”

“The report mentioned cracks, but no breaches or sinkings. This suggests that, as Your Highness said, the Challenger-class and Haeung-class battleships have outstanding defensive capabilities. Perhaps we could use thinner iron plates, adding armor without straining the frame.”

“Then mobility will suffer….”

“We can just add a steam engine!”

“Hmm….”

After a moment’s thought, Hyang conceded.

“Alright, let’s do that. We’ll begin the improvements after the war ends.”

Kim Jeom bowed his head in agreement.

“That is a truly wise decision!”

The meeting continued with additional agendas related to the war and the people’s livelihood.

Kim Jeom, leaving Seungwhadang [a government building] after the meeting, turned back to look at it with a frustrated expression before taking even ten steps.

“I’ve been had!”

Hwang Hee, observing Kim Jeom from the side, clicked his tongue.

“Tsk! Have you forgotten whose blood Your Highness inherited?”

“Oh… what a lacking human being….”

Kim Jong-seo muttered softly, watching Kim Jeom berating himself.

“That’s why the saying ‘rearranging the same in the morning and evening’ came about….”

Meanwhile, Hyang, alone in Seungwhadang, clicked his tongue with regret.

“Too bad. It would have been a good opportunity to indulge in my hobby….”

It was a classic case of different dreams in the same bed.

No, it was the consequence of the fixed mindset created by being deceived by Sejong and Hyang.

* * *

Two days later, the ministers gathered again in Seungwhadang at Hyang’s summons.

Hyang, wasting no time, got straight to the point.

“Han Myung-hoi’s plan, developed during his travels to and from Japan, has finally come to fruition.”

Hwang Hee asked, his face brightening.

“Have they agreed to send troops from Japan?”

“Yes.”

“How many are they sending?”

“100,000.”

Hwang Hee’s face lit up even more.

“If they move effectively, Ming won’t be able to send troops north of the Yangtze River!”

Jo Mal-saeng added.

“That’s right. If we add our assistance, someone will be spitting blood.”

“That’s right.”

* * *

Five days later, off the coast of Jindo [an island in South Korea].

Nearly a hundred ships sailed together.

These were the battleships carrying troops from Japanese lords under the command of the Ouchi shogunate, escorted by the Gyeongsang Right Naval Command of the Joseon Navy.

The Joseon-Japan allied fleet was heading northwest towards the Shandong Peninsula [a peninsula in China].

On the stern deck of the flagship, the Gyeongsang Right Naval Commander and Ouchi Norihiro were conversing.

“I heard you recently won a great victory. Congratulations.”

The Gyeongsang Right Naval Commander shook his head.

“It was not a victory solely achieved by this commander, so the praise is excessive. I do have a regret, though. Our Gyeongsang Right Naval Command should have participated too….”

“Perhaps you can make a contribution this time?”

The Gyeongsang Right Naval Commander laughed heartily and nodded.

“Hahaha! That’s right! Well said! If I make a great contribution this time! It seems the family heir will also have a good opportunity!”

“That’s right.”

In this invasion, the Ouchi clan mobilized 5,000 troops, led by Norihiro.

“Why only 5,000!”

“Isn’t this a trap!”

Other lords – especially those who had opposed the Ouchi clan in the last civil war – protested, but Mochiyo [the head of the Ouchi clan] offered a compromise.

– Instead, I will send Norihiro, the heir to the family, to participate.

– I will also limit the area of activity to the Shandong Peninsula.

The lords were both tempted and suspicious of Mochiyo’s proposal.

“Aren’t they trying to use us as disposable pawns by taking advantage of our entry into the mainland?”

Mochiyo introduced Han Myung-hoi to address their concerns.

“He is sent by the Crown Prince of Joseon.”

Han Myung-hoi, appearing in that role, promised the escort of the Joseon Navy.

“Of course, I expect to be compensated for it.”

“How much?”

“50% of the spoils.”

The lords immediately began to calculate.

‘50% is a bit much….’