Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 624

624. Their Choice (4)

Having confirmed the potential in Mehmed II, the Empire decided on a sure investment—a sure inventory disposal.

Following this decision, 2 million rounds of first-generation bullets, 1 million rounds of second-generation bullets, and five Hwachas [Korean rocket artillery] were loaded onto ships and departed from Mokpo towards the front lines.

“Even with 2 million rounds, considering the 4,000 Eul-sik muskets we’ve already received, that’s 500 rounds per musket, which is a surprisingly large number,” Hyang muttered softly, looking at the numbers in the report. Soon after, she wore a bitter smile.

“Then they will soon want more firearms, and if that happens, they will want even more bullets again, especially since we have to consider the succession competition.”

According to rumors that came in through Mansu, Murat II, who was commanding the war, was in very poor health.

This meant that a fierce succession battle was sure to break out within the Ottoman Empire. As it was likely to be a truly bloody succession battle, Mehmed II, who had already tasted the sweetness of power once, was sure to go all out.

This meant that the Empire could cast a long shadow over the Ottoman Empire, a rising power in the Mediterranean and Middle East.

“Whether we lay railroads or canals in Suez, the moment a reliable transportation route is established, the Empire will secure a cornucopia. And… we can also take care of some troublesome items along the way.”

The troublesome items Hyang mentioned were the first-generation and second-generation bullets that had been mass-produced.

* * *

Regardless of the material used to make the cartridge, the propellant for all bullets was black powder. Thanks to this, the Empire’s new-generation personal firearm, the Byeong-sik musket, and the Byeong-sik Hwacha—the petition that the name ‘Gap-sik machine gun’ only complicated the index of the supply list and increased the workload flooded in, so it was renamed Byeong-sik Hwacha—could not be used efficiently.

To be more precise, it was possible to use them, but the disadvantages outweighed the advantages.

To match the existing bullets, both the Byeong-sik musket and the Byeong-sik Hwacha would require major design changes. However, if the amount of black powder was reduced to match the new medium-caliber bullets—2.5 Hal (approximately 7.5mm) in diameter—instead of the large-caliber bullets—which had all been 1 Chi (approximately 1.5cm, 15mm) in diameter—the Byeong-sik Hwacha would be very likely to malfunction.

For this reason, the existing bullets that had been retired from the front lines had become troublesome items.

The biggest reason why they had become troublesome items was because of the black powder inside.

The black powder inside required much more care in storage compared to Deok-gap-sik gunpowder. This was because potassium nitrate, the main ingredient, absorbed moisture very easily. Of course, Deok-gap-sik gunpowder was not entirely free from this problem, but black powder was even more susceptible.

Of course, the gunpowder could be extracted again and used in civil engineering sites or mines, but it was as difficult to handle and manage as nitroglycerin, so that was also difficult.

Therefore, an opportunity to easily get rid of them arose while considering a suitable disposal method.

The envoys from various countries who came to celebrate the declaration of the Empire all had their eyes on them.

* * *

Less than a couple of months after the ships carrying a huge amount of bullets left Mokpo at the request of Mehmed II, things went as Hyang had predicted.

The captains of various countries who saw a huge amount of bullets and additional Eul-sik Hwachas being loaded onto ships immediately conveyed the situation as soon as they returned home, and the rumors spread widely at the ports of call they stopped at along the way.

“We might not be able to get them if we’re late!”

“If we’re going to buy them, we have to buy a lot!”

The countries that had sent envoys hurriedly began to pack Joseon coins and goods and head to Mokpo.

Among them, the ones who moved the fastest were the Oirat, Japan, and Ryukyu.

The reason why the Oirat moved quickly was because they had failed to properly exploit the gap in the previous war between Joseon and Ming.

Noticing that Ming, which had been pushed back by Joseon, had withdrawn its elite troops stationed at the Great Wall, the Oirat began to move, hoping to take advantage of the situation.

However, the war between Joseon and Ming ended sooner than expected, and the defense posture of the Great Wall was solid.

Now it was the Oirat who were in trouble.

Instead of inflicting a fatal blow on the wounded beast, they had only provoked it.

It had become clear that Ming would not leave them alone the moment they recovered.

Therefore, the Oirat scraped together as much funds as possible and visited the Empire again.

“The Taiji [Oirat chieftain] wishes to purchase at least 7,000 muskets, and he also wishes to purchase bullets at a rate of 1,000 rounds per musket.”

Huhuh responded with a troubled expression to the order presented by the Oirat envoy.

“It is difficult to provide more than the 5,000 muskets initially promised.”

“Why!”

“The 50,000 muskets we have decided to release already have owners. Therefore, we are in a difficult situation even if we want to give more.”

“Oh dear!”

This time, the Oirat envoy had a troubled expression at Huhuh’s answer.

‘The moment Ming recovers, war with us is inevitable! Even 7,000 is not enough considering Ming’s military power! Why now!’

“Is there anything we can do?”

Huhuh, who had been contemplating for a while at the envoy’s plea, cautiously spoke.

“How about this? Since muskets have a lifespan, we exchange a considerable number of muskets for new ones every year. If you come at that time, we will repair and hand over the retired muskets. What do you say?”

“Hmm… not even used, but retired….”

“Instead, we will reduce the price by 20% from the current price.”

“Okay! We’ll do that!”

The Oirat envoy eagerly took the bait offered by Huhuh.

‘Anyway, it will take more time for Ming to fully recover! Then this is the best!’

Knowing the Oirat envoy’s inner thoughts, Huhuh secretly rejoiced.

‘I caught him!’

The Oirat’s rapid military expansion was not what the Empire wanted. Since the last war, the Oirat was the place where the Empire’s border was also in contact. Therefore, the Empire needed to control the speed at which the Oirat expanded its military power.

‘We need time until our preparations are complete!’

Currently, the Byeong-sik muskets and Byeong-sik Hwachas—called ‘Byeongsik brothers’ among artisans, workers, and soldiers—are being mass-produced at the armory in Area 51, but it will take time to properly deploy them.

* * *

Following the Oirat, it was Ryukyu who visited Huhuh.

“Welcome.”

“Thank you for welcoming me.”

It was the Ryukyu envoy who bowed his head to the ground.

“The reason why I am visiting the Empire’s Foreign Minister is because of the purchase of muskets and Hwachas.”

“1,000 Eul-sik muskets and 10 Eul-sik Hwachas, right?”

“I would like to adjust that part a little. His Majesty the King wishes to purchase 4,000 Eul-sik muskets and 30 Hwachas. The number of bullets will also be increased accordingly.”

“Huh? What is the reason?”

“Because of the Wae (Japanese).”

“I understand that the political situation in Japan is quite stable?”

The Ryukyu envoy answered with a bitter smile to Huhuh’s question.

“Whether the political situation in Japan is unstable or good, we are in trouble.”

“Ah….”

Huhuh nodded without realizing it at the envoy’s answer.

Ryukyu was a small country. Moreover, until recently, it had been divided into three and competing with each other.

This division ended in 1429 when King Sho Hashi unified them into one.

Since then, it had prospered as an intermediate stop on the maritime trade route, but the Shimazu family of Kyushu in Japan was a problem.

During the chaotic period of the Northern and Southern Dynasties, they openly crossed over to Ryukyu and plundered, and even after that, they steadily harassed Ryukyu while keeping an eye on the shogunate.

“…Therefore, His Majesty the King wanted more Eul-sik muskets and Hwachas.”

“Hmm….”

Huhuh, who had been contemplating for a while after hearing the envoy’s words, came up with an answer.

“This is something that requires His Majesty’s approval, so I will first report it to His Majesty.”

“Please consider the difficulties of our kingdom.”

“I will do my best.”

* * *

“What do you all think?”

Hyang, who had received Huhuh’s report, immediately summoned the ministers and asked for their opinions.

“It seems fine. Although the Wae [Japanese] are currently engaging in diplomatic relations with our Empire, there is a high possibility that they will turn into enemies at any time. It would be good to put a shackle on them so that they cannot easily act rashly.”

The other ministers nodded at Hwanghee’s answer.

Although the Ouchi clan was currently in power and making peace with the Empire, the ministers did not fully trust them.

In particular, after confirming the information that the Ouchi soldiers who participated in the last war with Ming had taken a huge number of Ming people as slaves, their vigilance had increased even further.

Hyang, who had been contemplating for a while while watching the ministers’ reactions, came up with a plan.

“Hmm… how about this?”

* * *

Two days later, Huhuh, who met with the Ryukyu envoy, conveyed Hyang’s answer.

“His Majesty has ordered you to convey this: ‘Give them 10,000 Eul-sik muskets and 50 Eul-sik Hwachas, and give them a sufficient amount of bullets.’ Furthermore, he ordered you to receive only the amount of money initially promised.”

“Such an overwhelming act of generosity!”

The Ryukyu envoy was sincerely moved by Huhuh’s answer and stood up from his seat and bowed deeply towards Gyeongbokgung Palace [the main royal palace of Joseon].

The Ryukyu envoy, who bowed so deeply, bowed to Huhuh several times and expressed his gratitude.

“Thank you, Minister. Thank you so much!”

“You’re welcome. I have only conveyed the decision made by His Majesty.”

“Still, thank you!”

“Instead, I have a suggestion.”

“Yes?”

The Ryukyu envoy’s face became tense at the word ‘suggestion.’

‘There’s no such thing as a free lunch after all!’

“W-What is it?”

‘Territorial cession? Or a hostage?’

Watching the Ryukyu envoy swallowing hard, Huhuh conveyed Hyang’s suggestion.

“We would like to start a sugar business with your country.”

After a large amount of sugar was imported from Ming, sugar consumption in Joseon increased rapidly.

In this situation, sugar was the first thing that showed signs of hoarding as soon as the war between Joseon and Ming broke out. Fortunately, sugar was a state monopoly, so it was possible to catch the ominous movements, but the problem persisted even after the war.

Ming’s sugar merchants began to manipulate prices, whether it was by order of the Ming imperial family or not.

Therefore, the Empire needed a stable supply source, and Hyang was trying to use Ryukyu as that supply source.

“A joint venture….”

The Ryukyu envoy, who had been pondering Huhuh’s words for a while, soon nodded.

‘It’s not bad for our kingdom either. Rather, if the Joseon army, no, the Imperial army, is stationed here as an opportunity, we can secure safety! There are also economic benefits!’

“I will report to His Majesty the King and get an answer. However, it is a matter that benefits both countries, so a good answer will surely come out.”

Huhuh smiled and replied to the envoy’s words.

“I’ll be expecting it.”