Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 686

686. Suez (6)

-I will teach you how to fight, but not how to win.

Hyang’s words caused a small stir within Geunjeongjeon Hall.

Kim Jeom, Kim Jongseo, and Min Shin, who had experience in the military or in handling military-related affairs, nodded in agreement, but the civil officials who did not have such experience wore puzzled expressions.

‘I think I know, but I also don’t know….’

‘That damned Zen riddle! Is it enough for him to know alone!’

‘His Majesty and the Emperor! Surely, the Crown Prince isn’t like that too? If he is, I’m resigning! Even if it means taking poison, I’m resigning!’

Amidst the swirling confusion, Heo Hu stepped forward as their representative.

“Your Majesty, I am foolish and do not understand Your Majesty’s decree. Please forgive my foolishness.”

At Heo Hu’s words, Hyang smiled slightly and elaborated.

-With the widespread use of gunpowder weapons, battlefield tactics have changed significantly.

-Well, the broad strokes remain the same, but the finer details have shifted considerably.

-Therefore, the Empire will dispatch instructors to Wa [Japan] to teach these tactics.

-However, the instructors’ teachings will be limited to tactical aspects. Strategy and other crucial elements will be excluded.

Heo Hu tilted his head, still puzzled.

“However, major aspects such as strategy have been emphasized in military treatises since ancient times. Even if the Empire does not teach them, wouldn’t they be able to figure it out on their own?”

Hyang nodded slightly.

“That is correct. Military treatises on winning wars invariably mention strategy. However, with the advent of firearms, much has changed. Even if the same strategy is established, its execution must adapt. This adaptation, we will not teach. And, considering Wa’s past wars, this is something they will never grasp without our guidance.”

“Still, I’m not entirely sure….”

As Heo Hu remained perplexed, Min Shin interjected.

“Your Majesty, may I offer an explanation to the Minister of Foreign Affairs?”

“Do so.”

“Thank you for allowing my presumptuous request. Your grace is boundless.”

Min Shin, in what could be seen as an act of interfering in the conversation between the Emperor and his subject, expressed his gratitude to Hyang before addressing Heo Hu.

“The easiest example is supply.”

-Since ancient times, famous military treatises have invariably stressed the importance of supply.

-However, if you examine Wa’s history, unlike the Ming [Chinese Dynasty] or us, they haven’t considered supply to be very important.

-This is because most of Wa’s wars were civil conflicts, and Wa’s territory wasn’t very large.

-How far would they march in a small land, and how many people would they mobilize even if they fought a battle? It cannot be compared to the vast land of the Central Plains, where many military treatises originated, or the ancient Three Han [ancient Korean kingdoms], which sometimes fought against the empires of the Central Plains for unification.

-Therefore, Wa lightly regards supply. Warriors or soldiers carry swords and spears, and in a pinch, they cut down nearby bamboo or trees to make bamboo or wooden spears. The same goes for bows and arrows. As for food, they plunder from the surroundings if their provisions run out.

-This is easily understood if you recall the behavior of the old Wokou [Japanese pirates].

-However, as gunpowder weapons became central to warfare, much changed.

-Gunpowder, bullets, and fire bombs cannot be made directly on the battlefield. Of course, it’s possible, but proper performance requires proper manufacturing in the rear.

-This alone increases the difficulty, but the consumption is also enormous. Soldiers use well over hundreds of bullets each battle. This quantity cannot be made urgently on the battlefield.”

When Min Shin finished, Heo Hu pointed out a contradiction.

“Considering the civil war that led to Daene’s rise to power, wouldn’t they also know the problems with gunpowder weapons?”

“In that battle, gunpowder weapons were key, but swordsmen and spearmen ultimately decided the outcome. Furthermore, Daene’s soldiers used inferior guns, not the long guns of the Imperial Army. Firing hundreds of bullets with those guns would have taken at least seven days.”

“Ah….”

Heo Hu nodded. Hyang, listening from above the Dangjip [a raised platform], did the same.

‘There’s a reason why the Twelve Apostles came out….’

* * *

In the history before Hyang intervened, European soldiers using early muskets carried wooden tubes, each containing one shot’s worth of gunpowder and a bullet, dangling around. They carried an average of twelve tubes, hence the name “Twelve Apostles.”

Interestingly, they rarely used all twelve in one battle. When they did, it was predominantly in historically memorable, bloody battles.

This is why spearmen survived until the era of line infantry. Gunners determined victory, but spearmen finished the job.

* * *

As Heo Hu and the other officials nodded, Min Shin concluded.

“The most intelligent people in the Imperial Military Academy are assigned to the artillery department, and the next most intelligent to the administrative supply department. Accepting Wa people into the Military Academy? That should never happen.”

The officials, nodding, suddenly remembered something.

‘Wait? Come to think of it….’

Hyang had strongly advocated for this assignment system at the Military Academy.

* * *

Until Joseon’s founding, the main force was the cavalry.

No, it was shifting from cavalry to artillery.

They realized artillery’s power during the intense Battle of Jinpo in the late Goryeo period.

Therefore, they initially assigned the most talented people to artillery, then cavalry.

However, Hyang blocked this, actively recommending the administrative supply department.

“Since ancient times, it has been said to move soldiers after securing supplies first! If the supply of gunpowder, bullets, and fire bombs for the gunners and artillerymen becomes a mess, we will lose a hundred battles out of a hundred!”

Thanks to Hyang’s insistence and Sejong’s recognition, personnel assignments followed Hyang’s proposal.

This caused much talk among Military Academy students and in the military.

-Supply is important, but is it overemphasized?

-A general proves himself with martial prowess and skillful command, not supply, right?

-Could it be… because the Crown Prince cherishes cannons?

Such rumors spread, but Hyang and Sejong steadfastly maintained the principle.

The victory in the last war proved Hyang’s words correct.

Supplies arrived at the second-line supply base via railroads, then moved to intermediate bases using steam tractors and ox-drawn carts. Supplies continued to flow to the front lines using ox carts. Policies were also created with the Ministry of Finance to support private businesses mass-producing supplies.

The Imperial Army, properly supplied, maintained morale and combat power, driving out the Ming army and achieving victory.

This war empirically proved the importance of administrative supply, silencing any questions about Military Academy assignments.

Except for one person, Hyang….

“Damn it! These cannon lovers!”

Not only that, but support from those who realized administrative supply was a shortcut to success greatly increased, raising the competition rate.

* * *

The officials, remembering this, looked at Hyang strangely.

‘How many steps ahead did he see?’

Whether he knew their thoughts or not, Hyang wrapped up the situation.

“Therefore, let’s settle on ‘no navy, dispatch of instructors for the army’ for Daene’s request. Any objections?”

“None.”

“That is a truly appropriate decision.”

As the officials agreed, he ordered Kim Jeom.

“Prime Minister, please create a suitable excuse with the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Minister of National Defense.”

“I shall obey your command.”

* * *

Fifteen days later, Hyang’s reply regarding Ouchi’s request arrived in Yamaguchi.

“Tch!”

Mochiyo smacked his lips, regretful after confirming the contents.

“I expected difficulties regarding the military, but it’s still a shame.”

Norihiro, having read the reply, comforted him.

“Isn’t the Empire still haunted by memories of Wokou raids? Consider it a great step forward that at least instructors are coming.”

“That’s true, but I can’t help but feel regret. I wanted to nurture talented people properly and shorten the time to go out into the wider world.”

“Even a cow’s pace can cover a thousand miles. Many talented people are working hard now, so it will surely be achieved.”

Mochiyo nodded strongly.

“The head of the family is right! How long will we stay on this narrow archipelago! Before it’s too late, we must go out into the world, make a name for ourselves, and expand our territory! We can’t just follow the Empire’s lead forever!”

“That’s right!”

Mochiyo, resolved, moved on to the next topic.

“How is the preparation for the school to educate the children going?”

“The selection of school locations and scholars is mostly done, but there’s another problem.”

“Another thing? What is it?”

“It’s the naming. There’s a strong argument that calling it Samin School, like the Empire, would be a blow to our pride.”

Mochiyo nodded.

“That’s right. So… have you prepared any useful names?”

“Yes. There are Elementary School and National School. Elementary School is for young children (小兒), and National School is where children will grow up to be citizens of Japan.”

“Both are good, but….”

Mochiyo, 고민하던 [pondering] between the two, chose one.

“Let’s go with National School.”

“I will do so.”

Not long after, Hyang, hearing this news, smiled bitterly and shook his head.

“Another National School….”

* * *

Meanwhile, the surveying team members selected by Jinpyeong arrived in Suez with Giovanni.

“What kind of land is this that’s so hot!”

“I’ve heard it’s hot, but it’s terribly hot!”

The surveying team members, surprised by the heat, were surprised again at night.

“What? Why is the temperature suddenly dropping?”

“Once the sun goes down, it becomes a different world?”

“What kind of crazy place is this!”

Giovanni smiled bitterly and muttered inwardly.

‘Still, it’s milder because it’s by the sea. The desert is even worse.’

While complaining, the surveying team members unloaded the equipment.

After finishing and inspecting the equipment, they rested and recovered.

After three days of rest, they loaded the equipment onto camels and started working.

“Okay, let’s get moving!”

“Let’s do it!”

“But why is this camel so bad-tempered! Worse than my wife!”

It was the beginning of a railroad that would cross about 300 li (about 120 km or 75 miles) in a straight line, and about 400 li (about 160 km or 100 miles) of desert while passing through a water source.