Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 789

789. The Bureaucrats Go to Shinji (1)

As soon as spring arrived and the northern sea route thawed, the Empire organized a transport fleet. Kim Jong-seo took on the role of chief supervisor to ensure the successful execution of tasks, including determining the types and number of ships for the fleet and coordinating schedules.

Some considered it excessive for even Deputy Prime Minister Kim Jong-seo to be involved, but many believed that someone of his stature was necessary to ensure the smooth operation of things.

This was the Empire’s first large-scale maritime expedition.

Of course, the Empire had experience in wars and battles where even more troops were mobilized, such as the campaigns in Liaodong and the Yellow Sea naval battles.

However, most of the supplies and troop transport at that time were conducted via land routes. Sea routes, especially long-distance transport and expeditions between the mainland and Shinji, were unprecedented.

That’s why Kim Jong-seo was appointed as the chief supervisor.

* * *

“It’s fortunate that District 52, which has established itself in Shinji, is doing its part. Haaah…”

Kim Jong-seo, while reviewing the records of supplies to be loaded onto the transport ships, sighed with relief. However, upon examining the list, Kim Jong-seo turned to Han Myung-hoi with a fierce expression and shouted.

“Hey, Apgu! Is this number wrong! Are you not going to do your job properly! Should I reassign you to the records department!”

At Kim Jong-seo’s loud voice, Han Myung-hoi quickly rushed over and bowed his head.

“I am sorry!”

“If you’re sorry, then don’t create situations to be sorry about!”

“I am sorry!”

“Review it again and bring it back!”

“Yes, sir!”

Watching Han Myung-hoi quickly gather the documents, Kim Jong-seo continued to scold him.

“Is this the attitude for the Empire’s first large-scale expedition! Have you forgotten that your name will also be on the report to be sent to His Majesty! You haven’t forgotten that His Majesty was the one who appointed you, have you!”

“I will do my best.”

* * *

When Han Myung-hoi first entered the Vice Minister of the General Affairs Department, the surrounding gazes were not favorable.

-A guy who got a meteoric rise just because he served near His Majesty the Emperor since he was the Crown Prince.

These kinds of whispers applied not only to Han Myung-hoi but to all four of them.

At the time, Kim Jong-seo, who was the Minister of the General Affairs Department, gave Han Myung-hoi this advice.

“Work to death. If you make a mistake, not only will you be criticized, but it will also tarnish His Majesty’s reputation. What could be more disloyal than tarnishing the reputation that His Majesty has built since he was the Crown Prince?”

At Kim Jong-seo’s urging, Han Myung-hoi bowed his head and replied.

“I will do my best!”

“My expectations are high.”

Since then, Han Myung-hoi did his best. And Kim Jong-seo relentlessly pushed Han Myung-hoi.

“The fact that His Majesty has kept you by his side means you have the ability, right? But is this all you’ve got?”

“I will try harder!”

Thanks to such efforts, the unfavorable gazes towards Han Myung-hoi and the four of them gradually disappeared. However, they had not completely disappeared, so the four of them could not relax.

* * *

“I say again, this expedition is the Empire’s first large-scale maritime expedition! There must not be even the slightest mistake! And again, your name will be on the report that goes to His Majesty. Do not forget that the one who appointed you was His Majesty!”

“Yes, sir!”

Han Myung-hoi, who answered in a loud voice, gathered the documents and left Kim Jong-seo’s office.

Outside, Han Myung-hoi looked up at the sky and sighed.

“Haaah…. I’m well over fifty years old. Yet, I’m still in a position where I’m being scolded… Isn’t this a damn shame?”

Looking at the sky and grumbling, Han Myung-hoi looked towards the area where the Prime Ministers’ offices were located and muttered.

“Those who are already over eighty are still going strong, so is the saying ‘To become a Prime Minister, being a general is essential’ really true?”

Saying words mixed with jokes and sincerity, Han Myung-hoi returned to the General Affairs Department and shouted as soon as he passed through the entrance.

“Come to my office right now!”

Thump!

Surprised by Han Myung-hoi’s shout, the executives quickly gathered in Han Myung-hoi’s office. Han Myung-hoi threw the report in his hand onto the desk and shouted.

“Is this how you’re going to work!”

“I am sorry!”

“If you’re sorry, then don’t do things to be sorry about!”

Middle and lower-level managers who heard Han Myung-hoi’s shouting from outside sighed quietly.

“Here we go again… a chain of scoldings…”

“That’s why I hate hierarchical structures…”

* * *

Through all sorts of struggles and trials and errors, the expeditionary force was gradually preparing for departure.

However, as Kim Jong-seo said, the burden was greatly reduced as District 52 in Shinji was operating normally.

Various weapons, ammunition, and gunpowder were being produced smoothly in District 52, and horses and cattle were growing rapidly in the vast fields of Shinji.

Thanks to this, the Empire’s mainland only needed to prepare soldiers, food for the soldiers to eat during the voyage, and medicine, and most of the preparations were complete.

The biggest headache for the administrators right now was the issue of transportation and the natural environment.

Although they gathered as many ships as possible, leaving only the minimum naval power to defend the Empire, it was impossible to transport 30,000 troops at once.

-At least 10 or more round trips.

The military concluded that at least 10 or more round trips would be necessary to transport 30,000 troops.

Considering the time it took to travel back and forth to Shinji and the northern sea route that would freeze from early winter, it would take at least a year for transportation alone, and that was only possible if there was no damage from typhoons or other natural disasters.

“It would be great if we had a big ship…”

“It would be best if we had a large transport ship like the Assault Turtle Ship…”

Those involved, especially the navy, could not hide their disappointment when looking at the Assault Turtle Ship.

* * *

The navy, as well as merchants, everyone involved with ships, were keenly aware of the need for large ships.

-Larger ships with more and bigger cannons!

If this was the navy’s slogan, the merchants’ slogan was this.

-A large ship that can carry and move more cargo!

In this way, the demand for larger ships grew, but it was not an easy task.

This was because the ships they were demanding were iron ships, not wooden ships.

Even in the history before Hyang’s intervention, larger battleships or merchant ships than the Challenger-class were made of wood.

However, people who had seen the Assault Turtle Ship came to think that ‘large ships must be iron ships.’

“We’ve already launched several iron-made Assault Turtle Ships, why can’t we make even bigger ships?”

Naval officials and merchants said things like this, and every time the artisans of District 51 heard those words, they cursed.

“Damn it! Tell them to try making one themselves!”

“If it could be done just by talking, we would have already launched a 100-jang [approximately 300m] iron ship!”

Iron and wood were materials with completely different properties. And warships and transport ships were different from the design stage.

This meant that many more trials and errors were still waiting, which meant that more time and budget were needed. Time was inevitable, but the budget was the problem.

In this situation, the news that Crown Prince Hyeon was fascinated by iron ships was a welcome piece of good news.

Hyeon, after seeing the Assault Turtle Ship, fell in love with iron ships and frantically devoured information about them.

Seeing that, Jeong In-ji and those involved in District 51 all thought of the ‘Jinpyeong Operation’ [a historical project known for its ambitious scale and challenges].

“Although they are uncle and nephew, the bloodline doesn’t go anywhere…”

“It’s been like that since the Supreme Emperor…”

However, the shipbuilding officials in District 51 began to brighten up.

“The Crown Prince is interested? A thousand blessings!”

While the faces of the shipbuilding officials were brightening, the faces of the aircraft officials were getting worse.

Although the aircraft research department was favored by the Emperor, the Crown Prince held the real power in the research institute of District 51. As long as the Crown Prince was fascinated by iron ships, it was clear that more budget would be allocated to that side.

Of course, the budget would be adjusted once by Jeong In-ji, and finally adjusted and approved by the Emperor, Wan. However, it was certain that even a little more budget would go to the shipbuilding research department as long as the Crown Prince supported it.

In a limited budget, it was natural that if one side received a lot, the other side would receive less.

While the shipbuilding research department and the aircraft research department were experiencing contrasting emotions, there were also those who were carefree.

They were the engine research department and the artillery research department.

“No matter how much they fuss, it’s useless without an engine.”

As the engine research department staff said, the Empire was focusing on improving and refining steam engines.

The same was true for the artillery research department. As long as the Ministry of National Defense was behind them and they had both Ming and Japan on either side, there was little chance that the artillery research department’s budget would be cut.

“But you know what? Don’t you think it’s more bearable these days? Is it because His Majesty is in Shinji?”

“Right? It’s because His Majesty isn’t here, and Elder Jang Yeong-sil isn’t here either.”

Although they were still overwhelmed with work, the artisans of District 51 were psychologically more comfortable because there were no two incomprehensible beings, Hyang and Jang Yeong-sil.

This was because they did not know what Hyang was planning in Shinji.

* * *

“Let’s see… What was rubber in this neighborhood’s language again? Hmm… Ah, that’s right! Chicle! It must be chicle!”

Hyang, who had remembered the word ‘chicle,’ immediately called a eunuch.

“Go and bring ‘Ssang’ [likely a personal name].”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

After a while, Ssang, who had been summoned, prostrated himself on the floor and paid his respects.

“Greetings to Your Majesty.”

“Although your Imperial language is still clumsy, it has improved a lot.”

“Thank you!”

“Work harder.”

“Yes!”

Hyang, who praised Ssang’s much-improved Imperial language skills, got to the point.

“By any chance, do you know that the sap from a tree becomes an elastic mass when it dries?”

“What is elasticity?”

“Hmm… Let’s see…”

After a series of questions and explanations, Ssang finally understood what Hyang wanted and closed his mouth, recalling his memories. After a moment of recollection, Ssang soon answered with a bright face.

“Ah! There is! There is a tree that produces such sap! The sap is called chicle!”

Hyang’s face also brightened at Ssang’s answer.

“Oh! Is that so? Can you recognize that tree?”

“Yes!”

“I see! Then how does your tribe use that sap?”

“In my tribe, we apply it to our feet during the rainy season. We apply it thickly and then cut it off appropriately when it dries. Then our feet don’t get wet and it’s comfortable.”

‘Natural galoshes.’

Hyang, muttering inwardly at Ssang’s explanation, tilted his head, looking at Ssang’s face.

“Your expression is not good. What’s wrong?”

“We had to offer that sap to the Aztecs. Then the Aztecs would make balls with it and have matches among themselves.”

“Hmm… Do you die if you lose there?”

“Yes…”

“Tsk! I understand. I plan to punish them soon, so prepare yourself.”

“Thank you!”

Hyang, after sending Ssang out, clicked his tongue again and muttered.

“The feeling is definitely different between reading about it in records and actually hearing about it… Anyway, the expeditionary force will be coming soon, so I’ll be able to clean things up.”

Hyang, having finished organizing things regarding the Aztecs, moved on to his real interest.

“By the way, I’ve even created those who are called Thunder Force while mentioning lightning, but how do I get people interested in this? Do I really have to fly a kite on a day when lightning strikes?”

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