Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 718

718. The Second Battle of the Yellow Sea (16)

The navy wasn’t the only one benefiting.

The army also began expanding its defense facilities in the Liaodong area, which had been delayed due to budget issues, and began full-scale distribution of Byungshik Hwachas [multiple rocket launchers] and Byungshik rifles.

That wasn’t all. As Byungshik rifles were supplied to the cavalry, the recovered Masangchong rifles began to be overhauled in earnest.

The existing chambers that used paper cartridges and percussion caps were being converted into chambers that used integrated cartridges.

In addition, the propellant gunpowder was changed from Eulshik gunpowder to Deokgapsik smokeless gunpowder, and the gun body was also changed. Enhanced durability was basic, and the method of filling the chamber with cartridges was also changed. While the existing Masangchong was a break-action type, the newly changed Masangchong was changed to a side-opening type – called a swing-out – giving it definite durability.

And, these modified Masangchong rifles were supplied not only to the existing cavalry units but also as secondary armaments for officers above the rank of Gungyo (Military School).

In addition, communication networks in the Liaodong area also began to be installed on a large scale. Until now, communication towers installed along the railroads began to be installed in more and more areas, and began to establish themselves as a more efficient communication network.

As the communication network using optical communication devices took hold, faster and more efficient communication became possible than the existing methods of messengers or carrier pigeons.

Hyang, who was reviewing the results after receiving a related report from Wan, muttered to himself.

‘Now, if only electricity and rubber come out, the telegraph network will be complete!’

Building a communication network throughout the empire, including Liaodong, was a costly undertaking.

However, the Ministry of Finance did not express any particular opposition because of its excellent utility.

With the Ministry of Finance, which held the empire’s purse strings, executing the budget without saying a word, the empire’s communication network was nearing completion.

Communication between the mainland and islands far from the empire’s mainland, such as Jeju Island, Tsushima Island, Daeseol Island, and Jongjang Island, inevitably took time using ships, but even within those areas, fast communication was possible using optical communication devices.

And here, Im Sun-wook revealed his presence after a long time.

* * *

“Hmm… if this goes well….”

Im Sun-wook, who was reviewing a report on the construction of a communication network using optical communication devices, muttered to himself for a moment and then ordered his subordinate manager.

“Go to the General Affairs Department and check the status of changes in the household register for last year.”

“Changes in the household register, you say?”

“That’s right. Ah! Not changes due to births and deaths, but changes due to relocation of the household register.”

“Understood.”

The subordinate manager, who received Im Sun-wook’s order and went outside, sighed softly.

“Hoo~. I’m going to get some unpleasant words from my friends in the General Affairs Department.”

And the reaction of the General Affairs Department was not much different from his expectations.

“No! Instead of reducing our workload, why are you increasing it!”

The reason was that records of changes in the household register were made every year. However, reclassifying them according to the conditions took time.

Of course, the final numbers for each item were recorded separately. However, it was certain that what the higher-ups wanted was not something so simple.

Three days later, the documents requested by Im Sun-wook were sent from the General Affairs Department. Im Sun-wook, who received them, smiled bitterly.

“I didn’t want it to this extent…”

The documents he received recorded in detail how many people had changed their household register by region and how far they had moved.

* * *

A few days later, Im Sun-wook submitted a plan to the Minister of Finance.

“Not bad. I’ll submit it.”

Lee Gyeon-gi, the Minister of Finance, who positively evaluated Im Sun-wook’s plan, sent it to the Prime Minister’s Office.

Kim Jeom and the Vice Prime Ministers, who gave the same evaluation as Lee Gyeon-gi, submitted it to Wan and Hyang.

“I think it’s a good idea. What does Your Majesty think?”

“Hmm… it’s not bad, but this is not something that can be done only by the Ministry of Finance. I think it would be good to call Im Sun-wook, the First Vice Minister, who is the person in charge, to hear more details and listen to the opinions of other ministers.”

“I will do so.”

Some time later, Im Sun-wook, who was summoned, entered Geunjeongjeon Hall [main hall of Gyeongbok Palace]. Im Sun-wook, who saw Hyang, bowed politely.

“I greet Your Majesty.”

“It’s been a while. I would like you to explain this plan in detail.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Im Sun-wook, as if he had already prepared, began to speak with a large gwaedo [large map or chart] even hung up.

The plan submitted by Im Sun-wook was the ‘Communication Business Using Optical Communication Networks’.

-Even now, many of the empire’s people live where they were born until they die.

-However, more and more people are leaving their hometowns and moving to larger cities or other regions.

-Even if they move, most of their close relatives, such as parents, siblings, and sisters, remain in their hometowns.

-Therefore, they often return home for the holidays or send letters to ask about each other’s well-being.

-The problem is that there is no way to inform them of their parents’ critical condition or other urgent news.

-In addition, the empire’s merchants also often need to contact their branches urgently, but there is no way to quickly deliver the news.

-The solution is to use the military’s communication network.

-Optical communication devices can quickly deliver news to the desired area, so we will use them.

-However, the use of optical communication devices must be paid for. This is to prevent indiscriminate use.”

When Im Sun-wook’s explanation was over, Hyang began to ask Im Sun-wook questions.

“You said you would charge money, but how much do you think is reasonable?”

“I think it would be good to charge 10 coins per character of the main text, excluding the recipient’s address and name.”

Many officials frowned at Im Sun-wook’s answer. Even though it was a coin, 10 coins was an amount that could buy a hearty meal.

Hyang, who saw the expressions of such officials, asked Im Sun-wook again.

“What is the basis for thinking that way?”

“First of all, the address of the person who will receive the news must be sent first, and the final recipient must create a document and deliver it to the recipient. However, since it is an urgent report, we must of course move the express messenger. This part must also be included in the cost.”

“Still, isn’t it too expensive?”

“It’s because it’s an urgent report. Only those who are in such a hurry that they need to send an urgent report should use it. Otherwise, we may face a disaster when an emergency situation arises in the empire.”

“So, only those who really need it should use it after careful consideration?”

“That’s right.”

“How about building a separate communication network instead?”

“I think it’s an unnecessary expenditure until the empire’s population is at least three times larger than it is now.”

Hyang, who nodded slightly at Im Sun-wook’s answer, looked back at Wan and the officials.

“What does the Crown Prince think?”

“I think it’s a good plan. This is because it can reduce the number of times when people miss the opportunity and become bitter when something urgent happens.”

“What do you think?”

“I think it’s a good plan. As the Crown Prince said, it’s because it can prevent people from missing the opportunity and becoming bitter.”

“Although the empire’s mainland and Bukji [Northern Territory] are large, there are railroads, so you can travel back and forth in a few days. It’s good because you can prevent disasters if you can receive urgent reports properly.”

That’s how a new information delivery business using the Imperial Army’s communication devices was created.

This service, named ‘Bitgeul’ because it uses optical communication devices, soon began to be used usefully by the people.

However, the nickname ‘Aekgeul’ spread faster among the people than the name ‘Bitgeul’.

This was because most of the urgent reports delivered by Bitgeul were bad news, such as informing them of their parents’ critical condition.

* * *

Meanwhile, Hyang created a plan for a new research institute and called Wan.

“If you say ‘War Research Institute’, is it a place to study military strategy?”

“Military strategy is also military strategy, but you can think of it as a place to study how not to wage war.”

“Yes?”

When Wan tilted his head, Hyang explained in more detail.

-Through the major and minor wars and conflicts that have taken place so far, including the past two wars, the empire has been able to reap many benefits.

-Through this experience, a trend may emerge to try to solve everything with war.

-However, this is never a good trend.

-We were able to reap many benefits from the past wars and conflicts, but there were just as many expenditures.

-However, if we become blind to profits and ignore the burden that these expenditures will bring, it is a path to ruin.

“That’s why I’m trying to establish a research institute. It’s not just about gathering soldiers and researching war, but about gathering people with outstanding talents in various fields and researching what impact war has on the empire.”

What Hyang wanted to create was an institution similar to the strategic research institutes that all major powers in the 21st century had.

Hyang, who lightly quenched his thirst, continued his explanation.

“As the Crown Prince experienced this time, war is not just about soldiers. War is impossible if there are no people to provide everything, such as weapons for soldiers to use, uniforms to wear, and food to eat. In other words, war is where all of the country’s capabilities are concentrated. If you take this lightly and become belligerent, you will ruin everything.”

“Ah…”

Wan nodded at Hyang’s words. After thinking for a while, Wan asked Hyang.

“Then, will the existing weapons research institute and tactics research institute also be integrated into this place?”

“Would that be better?”

“I think that would be better. This is because we also need to research what impact changes in weapons and tactics will have on war.”

Hyang smiled at Wan’s answer and said.

“You are right. You take responsibility for promoting this project.”

“Yes, how can I?”

“Your thoughts are truly profound, so I trust you. So, promote it with confidence.”

“But Your Majesty is here…”

“I’m busy packing. So you have no choice but to do it.”

Wan had no choice but to bow his head at Hyang’s firm answer.

“I will do my best.”

“I trust you.”

Wan, who came out of Hyang’s bedroom, sighed softly and muttered.

“Hoo~. I’ve been tricked again.”

* * *

In the end, Wan, who had been burdened with the luggage from Hyang, did his best to promote the establishment of the ‘War Research Institute’.

There were various debates over the nature of the new research institute, but the atmosphere was generally positive.

In particular, the Ministry of Finance and the General Affairs Department were the most in favor.

“Do you know how much we suffer from financial management problems once a war breaks out?”

“Is it just finance? What about organizing the household register!”

Meanwhile, a positive atmosphere was also the trend within the military.

“You know from the Ming Dynasty, right? War is also changing. We need to prepare in advance.”

That’s how the War Research Institute finally took shape.

* * *

Meanwhile, on the outskirts of Bukji.

A subordinate rushed to Jin-pyeong, who was leading the railroad construction.

“Your Excellency! His Majesty has sent a Bitgeul!”

“Give it to me!”

Jin-pyeong, who hurriedly received the telegram, tore open the envelope and examined the contents.

-Pack your bags. Let’s go.

“Finally!”