Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 703

703. The Second Battle of the Yellow Sea (1)

While Hyang was quietly preparing for a stable transfer of power, information about the Ming Dynasty’s newly built super-large battleships began to surface through various channels.

“Is this information accurate?”

At Hyang’s question, Min-shin immediately bowed his head and replied,

“I have confirmed it repeatedly, and it is indeed true.”

“Is that so? Hmm…”

Hyang examined the report in his hand and muttered to himself,

‘It’s hard to hide something of this size. We were able to conceal the existence of the Assault Turtle Ship because of the East Sea…’

* * *

Operating a new battleship was not an easy task.

Even with existing types of battleships, each new vessel had slightly different characteristics. Therefore, it took time for a new battleship to be commissioned. This was because it took time for the crew to become familiar with the ship’s unique features.

Given this situation, building a completely new ship naturally took even longer to commission.

This was unavoidable, no matter how skilled the sailors were.

The reason the Assault Turtle Ship was able to remain undetected during that time was that Joseon had complete control of the sea in the West and South Seas.

No Ming or Japanese ships could penetrate the Joseon navy’s surveillance network to reach the East Sea, where the Assault Turtle Ship was training.

They were either forcibly captured by the Joseon navy or disappeared into the sea.

On the other hand, Ming was in an unavoidable situation. As the empire completely controlled the southwest region—now Taiwan—which they called Dong-beon [Eastern Barbarians], it was difficult to escape the empire’s eyes in the Yellow and South Seas.

No, it wasn’t just the empire’s eyes that were the problem. The Yellow and South Seas were home to trade routes. It was impossible to avoid the eyes of the numerous trade ships that passed by every day.

Therefore, rumors about Ming’s large battleships began to circulate, and as soon as the facts were confirmed through various channels, a report was sent to Hyang.

* * *

“But the information is more detailed than I expected?”

After carefully reading the report, Hyang pointed out a suspicious part to Min-shin.

While there was no information on key secrets—firepower, navigation ability, defense, etc.—the approximate size, number of cannons, propulsion method, and top speed were described in considerable detail.

At Hyang’s remark, Min-shin bowed his head and replied,

“The navy’s analysis team was also surprised by that. Just in case, we sent an intelligence ship disguised as a merchant ship to confirm, and most of it was true.”

“Hmm…”

Stroking his chin at Min-shin’s answer, Hyang shook his head slightly.

“Even though there are no truly important key secrets, it’s too careless…”

Huhuh’s, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, expressed his thoughts at Hyang’s uneasy appearance.

“I believe they leaked it on purpose.”

“Leaked it on purpose? For what reason?”

“Yes. One reason is to subtly hint at the formidable performance of the new large battleships, warning our empire. The other is to widely publicize the existence of a powerful warship comparable to our empire’s Assault Turtle Ship, boosting the morale of their own people and soldiers.”

“That seems plausible. What does the Prime Minister think?”

At Hyang’s question, Kim Jeom nodded and replied,

“I also believe the Minister of Foreign Affairs’ idea is reasonable.”

“I agree as well.”

Hyang, agreeing with Kim Jeom’s words, asked another question.

“Is this new battleship the only one?”

At Hyang’s question, Min-shin replied again,

“From what I’ve gathered through various channels, they are building one more.”

“How many do you expect them to build?”

As Min-shin was about to open his mouth at Hyang’s question, Kim Jeom answered first.

“The military estimates a minimum of three to a maximum of five, but the Foreign Ministry and I believe it will be at most two, or a maximum of three.”

Hyang’s eyes twinkled at Kim Jeom’s answer.

“Oh? What is the basis for such a difference?”

“The reason is…”

Kim Jeom explained the basis for his and the Foreign Ministry’s judgment.

-According to the report, Ming’s new battleships are armored with iron, just like our Assault Turtle Ships, and are powered by steam engines.

-Armoring a ship of that size with iron is costly.

-The same goes for steam engines. Moving such a massive, armored hull requires a large and powerful steam engine, which costs a lot of money to build.

-It’s not just the production cost that’s high, but also the operating cost.

-This all burdens the people. However, looking at Ming’s current situation, the recovery is not yet complete.

-In this situation, a hasty tax increase could provoke a backlash from the people.

“…Therefore, I believe it will be at most two, or a maximum of three.”

“Hmm… That’s a valid point.”

As Hyang nodded, showing a positive reaction, Min-shin raised his voice.

“However, Your Majesty. The fact that Ming is openly displaying such battleships means they still harbor animosity towards our empire. They suffered great humiliation in the last war, so it’s only natural that they would want to retaliate! As the Prime Minister said, building five ships is indeed unreasonable! But consider our empire’s case! They might think they can do the same as we did, taking a large amount of compensation from Ming!”

“Hold on!”

Kim Jeom raised his voice as soon as Min-shin’s rebuttal ended.

“The Minister of National Defense’s opinion seems reasonable, but it’s sophistry [a clever but false argument]! Since the end of the last war, the navy has been constantly demanding the additional construction of Assault Turtle Ships! Even though two have already been completed! Be honest! Isn’t the military exaggerating the threat from Ming to push for the additional production of Assault Turtle Ships!”

“Additional production is necessary! Two ships alone cannot properly protect the trade routes in the Yellow and South Seas!”

“Everyone knows that the Challenger-class battleships are sufficient for the South Sea! Do you even know how much money it costs to build one Assault Turtle Ship! And what about the maintenance costs!”

“I know! But for the sake of the empire’s safety, there are times when we have to spend money even if we know it’s costly!”

The Geunjeongjeon Hall [main hall of Gyeongbok Palace] was filled with the heated debate between Kim Jeom and Min-shin. As the atmosphere seemed to be overheating, Hyang intervened.

“Enough.”

Although it was a low voice, the two fell silent as soon as Hyang finished speaking. Looking at them, Hyang continued,

“Both of your opinions have merit. However, the discussion is becoming heated. I intervened because it seemed like you would soon be asking about each other’s parents’ well-being. You haven’t forgotten that this is forbidden by the Sangwang [the retired king], have you?”

At Hyang’s pointed remark, Kim Jeom and Min-shin immediately bowed their heads.

“We are sorry.”

“We are sorry.”

Having calmed the overheated atmosphere, Hyang made a decision.

“I will make a decision. Looking at the deployment plan for the Assault Turtle Ships, one was to be deployed in the West Sea, and the other in the Southwest Sea. I will revise this plan. Deploy both ships in the West Sea. I believe the Challenger-class and Haeung-class ships are sufficient to defend the trade routes in the Southwest Sea.”

Hyang’s words had changed to the haoche style [a more informal and authoritative speech style]. This was an expression of his intention to push forward with his own will. However, Min-shin raised an objection to Hyang.

“However, it will be difficult if Ming deploys the problematic new battleships in the South Sea.”

“That may be the case. But if the appearance of the new battleships written in the report is accurate, that ship cannot go out to the open sea.”

“Yes?”

Hyang explained the reason to Min-shin.

-According to the report, the new battleships are made by combining two large battleships into one.

-Looking at past history, there were some such ships, but most of them were used in rivers. It is difficult to operate them properly at sea.

-Perhaps, if the sea conditions worsen even slightly, it will become impossible to operate the problematic large battleships properly.

‘There’s a reason why large catamarans and multi-hulled ships aren’t well-made even in the 21st century!’

As Hyang said, even in the 21st century, where shipbuilding technology is advanced, the number of large catamarans was small. Especially for military use. The U.S. Navy’s Spearhead-class expeditionary fast transport is symbolic of military large catamarans.

Having explained why Ming’s new battleships could not venture into the open sea, Hyang added,

“If Ming’s battleships were truly a threat, I would be the first to propose building new battleships.”

‘Why would I miss the best opportunity to openly indulge in my hobby!’

“Ah!”

As soon as Hyang finished speaking, not only Min-shin but all the ministers simultaneously exclaimed.

‘I forgot! What kind of person the Emperor is!’

Hyang, as they knew him, was someone who never missed an opportunity. If there was a justification, he would use it to create all sorts of things. The fact that Hyang had refuted Min-shin’s words clearly meant something.

-Ming’s new battleships are just for show!

Looking down at the ministers, Hyang continued,

“Of course, the Yellow Sea is a calm place, so their new battleships may be a threat. However, if the empire’s navy does not lose its composure and responds properly, it will not be a major threat. Ah! Of course, it may be necessary to improve the performance of the fire bombs used in the Assault Turtle Ships and other battleships. Regarding this, prepare a plan as soon as possible and submit it to the Crown Prince.”

“We will follow your orders.”

* * *

As the meeting ended, the ministers began to leave the Geunjeongjeon Hall one by one.

However, even in the midst of this, Min-shin and Kim Jeom continued to bicker.

“Minister Min! I clearly said that additional construction of Assault Turtle Ships was not allowed, so why are you bringing it up and causing trouble!”

“That’s because you didn’t even listen properly and immediately said it was impossible!”

“Of course it’s impossible! There are already two, and we don’t even know how many the Chinese are making, so we can’t just build them recklessly! We have to think about the budget!”

“That damn budget, budget! We know the importance of the budget, so we only asked to build one more!”

“That lump of iron isn’t cheap!”

“I told you not to keep talking about money! That’s why I made a direct appeal to His Majesty!”

“But the conclusion is that His Majesty also said it was impossible!”

At Kim Jeom’s last words, Min-shin shut his mouth, and Kim Jeom had a victorious expression.

In the end, Min-shin, who returned to the Ministry of National Defense, shouted from the entrance.

“Everyone under me, gather! Especially the planning and analysis staff, don’t miss a single one! Anyone who misses will be sent to the records office!”

* * *

Meanwhile, Hyang and Wan, who remained in the empty Geunjeongjeon Hall after the ministers had left, continued their conversation with serious faces.

“You’re worried about Ming.”

“Does Your Majesty think that Ming will provoke the empire?”

At Wan’s question, Hyang nodded.

“Before our empire rose, Ming was the ruler of the region. However, they were defeated by us and gave up their position, so their pride must have been greatly wounded. They will surely aim for a comeback. Haa…”

Hyang sighed deeply and looked back at Wan with a worried face.

“The problem is when that time will be. Isn’t the story of ‘Washing gall and tasting firewood’ [a Chinese idiom about enduring hardship for revenge] from the Central Plains? They have already tasted bitterness once, so they will endure and endure to find the best opportunity.”

“That is indeed true. We must not relax our defenses even for a moment.”

Nodding at Wan’s answer, Hyang muttered to himself.

‘Should I create an opportunity for them?’