Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 838

838. Europe’s Pursuit (5)

“Hoo~.”

Wan, after letting out a long sigh, continued speaking.

“That’s Europe we’re talking about, and you call it an exaggeration? Tsk!”

As Wan clicked his tongue, the ministers flinched, drawing their necks in like turtles. However, the ministers also had something to say.

Representing those ministers, Kim Jongseo began.

“Your Majesty, your words are not without merit. However, a military doesn’t transform overnight simply because its weapons change. Military strategy must evolve to suit the new weaponry. Please consider the Revolt of Yi Manju and the Liaodong battles of the past.”

* * *

While the national economy’s growth played a significant role in Joseon’s transformation into an empire, the powerful military, with its formidable firepower, was equally crucial.

However, the Joseon army wasn’t always a formidable force.

At the time of the ‘Revolt of Yi Manju,’ the Joseon army’s tactics were a blend of medieval and early modern warfare.

The Joseon army’s tactics involved a tercio-like formation, with heavily armored swordsmen in plate armor protecting a line of riflemen armed with percussion cap muzzle-loading rifles.

Even this was a considerable force, but it proved insufficient against the Ming.

The tercio tactics alone couldn’t overcome the Ming’s numerical superiority.

Later, as Joseon’s economy grew, the production of breech-loading rifles and Gatling guns, along with advancements in artillery, signaled a real shift.

However, as Kim Jongseo pointed out, Joseon didn’t become an empire solely because of its new weapons.

They subdued the Ming by employing trench warfare and mobile warfare, rather than traditional head-on clashes on open plains.

Kim Jongseo highlighted this very point.

* * *

Wan immediately countered Kim Jongseo’s argument.

“You’re correct, Great Scholar. Military strategy must evolve alongside weaponry. But consider this: during the Suez battles, Portugal and the Ottomans familiarized themselves with our Eul-sik rifles and Hwacha [multiple rocket launcher], adapting their own tactics. Furthermore, our Imperial Army demonstrated effective strategies while laying railroads in Suez.”

As Wan mentioned, in the later stages of the Suez War, the Ottomans, Portugal, Florence, and France introduced large quantities of the Empire’s Eul-sik rifles and Hwacha into the conflict.

Through trial and error, and at the cost of soldiers’ lives, they developed their own tactics.

Additionally, the Mamluk army, disguised as bandits, observed the Imperial Army’s maneuvers during the Suez railroad construction, leading to significant improvements in their strategies.

“….”

The ministers hesitated to respond to Wan’s point. Observing their silence, Wan continued.

“His Majesty expressed concerns about Europe, stating this.”

* * *

Hyang had also added this when discussing the Boom [a period of rapid economic growth and technological advancement].

“The primary reason we must closely monitor the Boom’s emergence in Europe is the absence of friendly nations among them.”

Hyang’s explanation can be summarized as follows:

-The biggest issue is the lack of amicable relations between European countries. This is evident between Portugal and Spain, England and France, and France and the Holy Roman Empire.

-These countries have already encountered our Empire’s Eul-sik rifles and Hwacha. Once the Boom takes hold, they will quickly catch up in terms of weaponry.

-Armed with new weapons and newfound confidence, these countries will easily be drawn into war.

-Once war erupts, it will escalate.

-War is a costly endeavor. Therefore, new and superior weapons won’t simply appear overnight. Instead, the skills of artisans will be greatly enhanced as they refine existing weapons while producing them in large quantities.

-This is the core problem. After the war concludes and they recover, European countries will utilize these skilled artisans to create even more deadly and dangerous weapons.”

“Ah….”

Wan nodded repeatedly as he listened to Hyang’s explanation. Observing Wan’s reaction, Hyang muttered to himself.

‘Jet engines and rockets didn’t materialize out of thin air. The underlying concepts and basic technologies existed before the war. That’s why Germany, England, and the United States developed jet fighters. Ah! Except for Japan.

Wait… should I categorize the atomic bomb similarly, or treat it as an exception?’

“Your Majesty?”

“Ah! I was momentarily distracted. Where were we?”

Hyang, whose thoughts had briefly wandered, was startled by Wan’s call and resumed speaking.

* * *

“…Therefore, wouldn’t a Europe armed with weapons honed through constant warfare become a significant concern for our Empire?”

Hwangbo-in bowed his head and continued.

“Your Majesty, I acknowledge that European countries are often at odds. And it’s true that their technological advancements through conflict could be concerning. However, while producing guns and cannons requires substantial wealth, manufacturing bullets, shells, and gunpowder demands even more. Given Europe’s current economic state, raising an army large enough to threaten the Empire seems unlikely.”

The ministers nodded in agreement with Hwangbo-in’s assessment.

This mirrored the Imperial Army’s current situation.

The Imperial Army’s budget requests increased annually, yet fulfilling all their demands proved impossible.

Consequently, a fierce power struggle ensued between the Ministry of National Defense and the Ministry of Finance and Economy during each budget allocation period.

Hwangbo-in continued, bowing his head.

“Your Majesty, the emergence of the Boom in Europe is undoubtedly a matter of concern. However, overemphasizing it is also unwise. Doing so could strain the Empire’s finances and burden our people. ‘Slow but steady wins the race,’ as they say. I believe we should monitor Europe’s movements and proceed cautiously. Hasty action would be an overreaction.”

“So, you believe we still have time, given Europe’s current state?”

“That is correct.”

“Hmm….”

Wan pondered Hwangbo-in’s response.

‘It’s a reasonable perspective at first glance….’

Hwangbo-in’s analysis was accurate.

* * *

Europe began to dominate Asia after the Age of Exploration.

This was achieved by securing overwhelming economic and military power based on resources from Africa and the New World.

However, much has changed since Hyang’s intervention.

In the timeline before Hyang’s involvement, Northeast Asian countries, once closed off, actively engaged in foreign trade and strengthened their military capabilities.

Notably, the Empire secured and developed Shinji [new territories] from its time as Joseon.

If Sejong’s plans, supplemented by Hyang, to secure not only North America but also Central America succeed, the resources available to European countries would be significantly reduced.

In other words, Europe’s economic and military power would diminish accordingly.

* * *

“Hmm… you have a point. But consider this: the economy is the crux of the matter. Isn’t it possible that European countries might unite and provoke a conflict with the Empire to acquire more wealth?”

Hwangbo-in smiled slightly at Wan’s concern and replied.

“Isn’t that why we devised the ‘Chicken Bone Operation’ [a strategy to create discord] to prevent them from uniting? Of course, they began acting independently even before we initiated the plan.”

“Discovering what they call the ‘New World’ is one thing, but uniting to invade our Empire is another, isn’t it?”

Hwangbo-in answered Wan’s persistent questioning without hesitation.

“Your Majesty, even in alliances, the strong and weak are differentiated, and a hierarchy emerges. Wouldn’t the same apply to countries? Consider the Spring and Autumn Period of the Central Plains [a period of Chinese history marked by constant warfare between feudal states]. Unification won’t occur until a hegemon (霸者, the dominant power) is established.”

Wan retorted to Hwangbo-in’s statement.

“And they will fight fiercely to determine that hegemon, sharpening their swords in the process. Oh dear… don’t you think we’re just going in circles?”

Hwangbo-in paused momentarily at Wan’s words before responding.

“Of course, that’s likely. However, Your Majesty, people naturally avoid harm. They are well aware of the Empire’s strength. Therefore, they will target the Ming and Japan instead of us. They will probably focus on the Ming the most.”

“The Ming and Japan… hmm….”

“That is correct. Aren’t the Ming and Japan renowned for their silver?”

Wan pondered Hwangbo-in’s words and nodded.

“If we’re talking about silver, that’s true….”

* * *

The Ming, or rather, the Central Plains, had been producing and utilizing silver extensively since ancient times. Japan, on the other hand, mined considerable amounts of gold and silver from mines jointly operated with Joseon since the Joseon Dynasty, as well as from newly developed mines.

Conversely, the Empire was ‘officially’ a silver importer. Silver from joint venture mines in Japan and purchases from the Ming accounted for 80% of the silver circulating within the Empire, with domestic production making up the remaining 20%.

However, actual production from domestic mines was even greater. The Empire steadily collected and stored the hidden surplus silver.

This was to prepare for unforeseen circumstances.

Against this backdrop, Europeans naturally associated the Ming and Japan with ‘Oriental Silver.’ In fact, the volume of silver traded between Europe, the Ming, and Japan was substantial and growing annually.

Therefore, Hwangbo-in concluded that European countries would target the Ming and Japan rather than the Empire.

* * *

As Wan displayed a look of understanding, Hwangbo-in emphasized his point.

“Your Majesty, to summarize the current situation, it is as follows:”

-France has initiated the Boom, and other countries will undoubtedly follow suit.

-This is a definite concern. However, rash action is unnecessary.

-Europe’s military power will certainly be strengthened by the Boom, but this power won’t be directed at the Empire immediately.

-Before that, a major war will erupt to determine the hegemon of Europe.

-Afterward, they will inevitably turn their attention eastward.

-The most likely targets are the Ming and Japan.”

Hwangbo-in paused after explaining this and concluded.

“Their swords are indeed becoming sharper, as Your Majesty is concerned. Therefore, we must also prepare. However, blindly acquiring new swords or sharpening all our existing ones would be foolish. It’s most prudent to carefully assess the length and sharpness of their swords and choose the appropriate sword to sharpen in response.”

Wan nodded at Hwangbo-in’s words.

“That’s right, no matter how sharp a new knife is, a kitchen knife can’t compete with a long sword. Then let’s examine this aspect first.”

Following Wan’s decision, not only the mainland but also the army of Shinji began to undergo significant changes.

And Hyang, who learned the whole story through a letter sent by Wan, fell into 고민 [Korean word for “deep thought” or “worry”].

“Ah, damn it… I’m 고민… Should I add some seasoning or not….”