Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 61

Jjangra

Hello, Bomb

61. New Weapons (9)

Sejong and his ministers, having finished their midday meal of gruel made from dried rations, began the audit in earnest.

The ministers, poring over the meticulously recorded ledgers, checked for omissions or signs of corruption, and pressed General Choi Hae-san.

“You have been continuously purchasing land. What is the reason for this? Did you not properly calculate the necessary land from the beginning?”

The ministers were questioning General Choi Hae-san, but in reality, they were questioning the Crown Prince. Directly questioning the Crown Prince could give Sejong an excuse to find fault, so they were attacking indirectly through Choi Hae-san.

Choi Hae-san calmly replied to the ministers’ questions.

“As you gentlemen have seen, the main research in this Area 51 involves weapons that use gunpowder. Gunpowder creates a great explosion, and many people could not withstand the noise, so we purchased their land.

The purchase of cattle and livestock is for the same reason. Livestock kept dying from being startled by the explosions, so we purchased the dead livestock.”

The ministers persistently questioned him, but Choi Hae-san answered confidently without hesitation. No wealth had been siphoned out the back door since the establishment of the research institute, especially Area 51. All the budget received from the court was firmly controlled by the Crown Prince, who was stricter than anyone else when it came to budget execution.

* * *

The audit ended nearly at sunset. The ministers who finished the audit reported the results to Sejong.

“There are no irregularities in the ledgers.”

“Is that so? You have all worked hard.”

After thanking the ministers for their hard work, Sejong turned to the Crown Prince.

“The Crown Prince has also worked hard. And General Choi and General Lee, you have also worked hard. Seeing the weapons today, I can see the effort that the Crown Prince and you have put in. You have truly suffered.”

The Crown Prince, Choi Hae-san, and Lee Cheon bowed their heads at Sejong’s praise.

“Your benevolence is boundless!”

“Your efforts will make the defense of Joseon [ancient Korean kingdom] even stronger, so I hope you will work even harder.”

“We will devote ourselves!”

“Then, today….”

Sejong, who was about to rise from his seat and prepare to return, saw the new armor of the soldiers standing guard and turned to the ministers.

“Before returning to the palace, let us stop by the Military Armory.”

“Your Majesty, there may not be enough time to visit the Military Armory.”

Hwang Hee stepped forward to inform him that it was late, but Sejong shook his head.

“If I take more time off, a lot of state affairs will pile up. Let us go and see it while we are out.”

“We obey your command.”

Hwang Hee immediately bowed his head at Sejong’s decision. Sejong’s tone was much softer than it had been in the morning. If he resisted here, Sejong would immediately change his tone, which was a sign that Sejong was angry.

‘It is wise to avoid a shower that can be avoided.’

Thus, Sejong left Area 51 and headed to the Military Armory. As Area 51 had expanded and was now right next to the Military Armory, Sejong was able to arrive at the Military Armory immediately.

Upon the urgent news that ‘The King has come to the Military Armory!’, not only the officials managing the Military Armory but also the artisans all rushed out to pay their respects.

“We greet His Majesty the King!”

Sejong lightly raised his hand at the sight of the officials and artisans prostrating on the ground.

“Rise.”

At Sejong’s command, the officials and artisans clumsily stood up. Sejong, looking at the officials and artisans who had stood up, immediately turned to the Minister of Personnel, who was in charge of managing the Military Armory.

“The number of officials managing the Military Armory seems a little less than I know?”

“That is because many of them hold concurrent positions….”

“If the artisans have a lot of work to do, it will be a problem if there are not enough officials to manage and supervise them. Prohibit concurrent positions for officials managing and supervising the Military Armory.”

“We obey your command.”

The Minister of Personnel, who had answered Sejong’s command, sighed softly.

“Hoo….”

‘We already have a shortage of people!’

“I am well aware that the court is short of people. The problem of the shortage of talent will be resolved as quickly as possible while proceeding with the reforms, so please endure it for the time being.”

“No! Hardship? You are too kind!”

The Minister of Personnel, whose true feelings had been exposed, became pale and denied it.

* * *

As he entered the interior of the Military Armory, Sejong said to the Crown Prince.

“It is clear that the weapons you have created all have formidable power. However, it is also a fact that they require a lot of work. Am I wrong?”

“No, you are not.”

“Therefore, I will examine the production process of those weapons. As you said, the artisans of Joseon are few in number, and there is also the need of the people, so it is problematic to mobilize them carelessly. Therefore, I will examine the production process and determine the priorities based on the power I saw in the demonstration today. Do you have any problem with that?”

“No, I do not. It is a natural decision.”

The Crown Prince readily acknowledged Sejong’s words.

‘The current situation in Joseon requires selection and concentration. It is a shame, though.’

* * *

“Then, let us first look at the production of the cannons.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Guided by the officials, Sejong observed the process of making the cannons.

Sejong, who had seen the process from rolling the barrel to attaching various parts to complete it, turned to the Crown Prince.

“It requires a lot of work.”

“Yes. So, we have tried a lot of division of labor.”

“Division of labor?”

At the Crown Prince’s answer, Sejong carefully examined the manufacturing process once again.

Artisans who looked young were hammering iron plates on an anvil to create shapes and joining them together. And an older artisan was meticulously checking the barrels that had been made in that way.

And the process of trimming and rifling the barrels that had been made in that way was also almost entirely done by young artisans. The parts that experienced artisans were in charge of were inspecting the quality of the parts and finally assembling them.

“I see.”

Sejong nodded as if he understood, having seen the process of making the long cannons. Having satisfied his curiosity, Sejong turned to the Crown Prince and Choi Hae-san to satisfy another curiosity.

‘The armor worn by the soldiers in Area 51 was unique. Is that also made here?’

“Yes, Father.”

“I would like to see that too.”

“I understand.”

At Sejong’s command, the Crown Prince gave orders to the officials and artisans of the Military Armory. At the Crown Prince’s command, the artisans who were making the cannons stopped what they were doing and stood up in a crowd.

“Huh?”

As Sejong tilted his head, the Crown Prince explained the reason.

“I am sorry. The number of artisans is insufficient….”

“Oh! Tsk!“

At the Crown Prince’s answer, Sejong clicked his tongue as if he was sorry. At the sight of Sejong, the ministers who accompanied him became restless and muttered.

“This… is becoming more and more uneasy?”

“He will definitely demand countermeasures….”

Leaving behind the anxiety of the ministers, Sejong followed the artisans to the place where the armor was made.

“Hehehe… really…”

Sejong, having arrived at the place where the armor was made and seeing the artisans making the armor, burst into hearty laughter.

The Crown Prince had answered Hwang Hee’s question by saying, ‘We stamp them out.’ And now, the artisans were literally ‘stamping them out.’

The first thing that caught Sejong’s eye was the part that covered the chest. When a thin, red-hot iron plate was placed on a large iron mold, another artisan turned a large pulley to place another iron mold on top of it.

“Heave-ho!”

As the two molds overlapped, a young artisan pressed down on the handle attached to the upper mold with all his might, shouting a battle cry. The end of the handle was curved in a semi-circle, and as the handle was pressed down, the most protruding part of the semi-circle went down and pressed the mold.

After the two molds were completely attached in that way and a little time had passed, the artisans raised the handle and turned the pulley to separate the two molds. As the mold was separated, an artisan standing next to it took out the iron plate with tongs. The iron plate that came out of the mold was in the perfect shape of a breastplate.

“Hehehe….”

Sejong, having seen the armor being made in an extraordinary way, burst into laughter and continued to watch. The helmet to be used with the armor, even the pointed helmet with a brim, was being made from a single iron plate.

Sejong, who could only laugh at the completely unexpected and ingenious method, asked the artisans a question.

“It is truly a mysterious method! Whose idea is it?”

At Sejong’s question, the eyes of the artisans and officials all focused on the Crown Prince. Sejong looked at the Crown Prince with a dumbfounded expression.

“You again?”

“Dehet!”

Sejong, having seen the process of making the armor, tried to see the place where the explosive bombs were made, but the Crown Prince stopped him.

“I am deeply sorry, but you cannot see the place where the explosive bombs are made now.”

“Why not?”

“Because very dangerous materials such as mercury and nitric acid are used, the personnel in charge are also taking the prescribed equipment and working only for a set period of time.”

“Is that so… Tsk.”

Sejong, who smacked his lips in disappointment, looked around at other places. He also looked around the places where traditional weapons such as bows and arrows were made and praised the artisans, but Sejong’s expression had become much more subdued.

* * *

“Your Majesty, it is very late. You should return to the palace….”

At the words of the accompanying Sangseon [a high-ranking eunuch], Sejong looked at the clock hanging on the wall of the Military Armory and nodded.

“I suppose so. Let us slowly prepare to return to the palace.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

While Sejong and the ministers were getting on their horses to return to the palace, a soldier with a large bag approached the Crown Prince. After confirming the contents of the bag, the Crown Prince nodded, and the soldier handed the bag to Choi Hae-san.

“You have worked hard.”

While Choi Hae-san was receiving the bag, another soldier handed wooden plaques to the Crown Prince and Choi Hae-san.

“These are the tokens you will use tomorrow.”

“Thank you.”

As the Crown Prince, who had put the token in his arms, got on his horse, Sejong, who was watching the scene, asked a question.

“I understand the token, but what is that bag?”

“It contains the blueprints for the armor and the long cannons. Every morning, we go to the Military Armory and bring them back every evening after retrieving them.”

“Then where do you keep those blueprints?”

“We keep them in a vault made in the deepest part of the East Palace.”

“You are paying a lot of attention to security. Then let us return to the palace.”

While returning to the palace, Hwang Hee called the Minister of Finance.

“Minister of Finance. Contact the Ministry of Finance and have them prepare a report on the tribute of iron. I want to be able to see it as soon as I enter the palace.”

“Yes?”

“When we return to the palace, His Majesty will surely discuss the mass production of new weapons, including the cannons. So, we must prepare in advance.”

“Ah! That is right!”

The Minister of Finance gave orders to an official who was coming with him. The official of the Ministry of Finance who received the order left the procession and rode his horse towards Yukjo Street.

* * *

Sejong, who had returned to the palace, acted as Hwang Hee had predicted.

“Seeing the demonstration today, the weapons made in Area 51 are truly powerful. What do you think?”

“That is indeed the case. In particular, the power of the Flying Thunderclap Bomb can be said to be the best in the world.”

“The excellence of the long cannons is also unmatched by the cannons of the Ming Dynasty.”

The ministers all agreed with Sejong’s assessment. As the ministers agreed, Sejong immediately got to the point.

“So, I would like to mass-produce them. What do you think?”

“Well….”

At Sejong’s words, the ministers avoided giving an immediate answer and began to calculate in various ways. In the meantime, Hwang Hee turned to the Minister of Finance. The Minister of Finance, who had received Hwang Hee’s gaze, said something to the eunuch. After a while, a book was held in the eunuch’s hand. The Minister of Finance, who had received the book, reported to Sejong.

“This is the amount of iron that the court received as tribute last year. First of all, looking at what catches my eye,

“Gyeongju has 6,533 *geun* [Korean unit of weight, approx. 600g] of refined iron (Siwoo iron), and Ulsan has 12,500 *geun* of pig iron (cast iron)… So, to summarize, the Military Armory and the Office of Public Works (營繕監, an agency in charge of civil engineering and construction) use or possess 130,000 *geun* (approximately 78 tons) annually, and the amount of inventory held by each province is approximately 600,000 *geun* (approximately 385 tons).”

“Is that the total of refined iron and pig iron?”

“That is correct.”

“Hmm….”

Sejong, stroking his beard, turned to the Crown Prince.

“With this amount of material, mass production would be possible, even if it is a bit of a stretch, wouldn’t it?”

The Crown Prince immediately answered Sejong’s question.

“The amount of material may be possible, but mass production is difficult. The reason is that the number of artisans is too small.”

“Wouldn’t it be possible to recruit more artisans from private homes?”

The Crown Prince explained why it was impossible to Sejong’s question.

“I have experimented with the Flying Thunderclap Bomb.”

The experiment that the Crown Prince mentioned was outsourcing the projectile part of the Flying Thunderclap Bomb. It was an experiment in which the casting prototype was given to blacksmiths inside and around Hanseong [old name of Seoul], and deliveries were received. The screening was conducted in two stages, the first and second.

The first criterion was that products produced in the same blacksmith shop could be assembled together. The second criterion was that they could also be assembled with products produced in other blacksmith shops. If the given prototype was properly copied, it could pass not only the first but also the second criterion.

“A total of 14 blacksmith shops were mobilized for the experiment, of which 8 passed the first criterion and 3 passed the second criterion. And those 3 blacksmith shops produced most of the Flying Thunderclap Bombs used in the test. Considering this example, the blacksmiths with sufficient skills should be regarded as 20% of the total.”

“That’s few….”

“Even the simplest Flying Thunderclap Bomb was 20%. The cannons, which must be made more skillfully than that, will be less than 10%. If we have to mobilize blacksmiths from private homes unconditionally, only the Flying Thunderclap Bomb and armor will be possible.”

Sejong made a disappointed expression at the Crown Prince’s answer. Sejong, who was faced with a more negative situation than he had expected, gestured to the ministers with a tired face.

“I want you to come up with a way to solve this situation. That is all for today.“

That night, Sejong did not visit the Crown Prince’s room. The Crown Prince, who had been waiting just in case, went to bed with a bitter face.

“I guess he was shocked. By the fact that reality is a cesspool. I wonder if he will overturn everything and give up completely?”

There was a reason why the Crown Prince said that. Sejong was 27 years old. It was still a time when both experience and experience were shallow.

The next morning. Sejong called the ministers and the Crown Prince together. As the Crown Prince and the ministers gathered, Sejong opened his mouth.

“I have been thinking about it carefully, and I think that the production of the long cannons and the horse-mounted cannons should not be delayed either. However, if we leave it all to the Military Armory, I don’t think that is a good countermeasure either. So, I have thought of a way to solve this.”

As Sejong announced that he had made a countermeasure, the Crown Prince and the ministers focused on Sejong.

“The method I have thought of is to receive the barrel part of the *Gapja* cannons [type of cannon] from the blacksmiths throughout Joseon, the wooden part of the *Gapja* cannons from the horse farms, and the brass parts from the brassware makers.

In the case of horse-mounted cannons, only the important engine parts are made in the Military Armory, and only the barrel, the powder chamber, and the wooden parts are received in the same way. The Crown Prince must prepare and report the exact specifications for these parts. This will be printed and distributed to the artisans and will be used as a screening criterion.”

“Father. If we do that, the possibility of leaking secrets will increase.”

Sejong immediately gave an answer to the Crown Prince’s point.

“What we receive from the blacksmiths is limited to parts just before they are processed. The iron body of the cannon is limited to the process of making the inside straight and smooth and cutting the screws, that is, before the grooves are cut. The grooves are cut and the parts are assembled and finally assembled at the Military Armory.”

Sejong’s words caused the Crown Prince and the ministers to enter into a calculation of profit and loss. While moving the scales here and there and calculating, Hwang Hee pointed out a problem.

“If we receive it as tribute from the blacksmiths, there may be a problem with the quality. Weapons are the most important part of national defense, so the quality problem must be solved.”

Sejong answered immediately to Hwang Hee’s words.

“We do not receive it as tribute. Currently, the Ministry of Finance’s directly managed monopoly offices are being established throughout the country. We purchase what we need through these monopoly offices. This is to make wealth circulate and make the lives of the people prosperous, and at the same time, to prevent the artisans from regarding their work as lowly. In other words, we are trying to make more and more people become merchants and artisans.”

A debate broke out between the Crown Prince and the ministers over Sejong’s plan. There were ministers who opposed it, but the Crown Prince was the first to express his approval, and as the Chief State Councilors also supported it, it was decided to follow Sejong’s will.