Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 839

839. Europe’s Pursuit (6)

Torn between his own passion for ‘Deokjil’ [obsessive enthusiasm for a specific subject or hobby], the current technological level of the Empire, and its finances, Hyang’s 고민 [worries] grew ever deeper.

“What I want to make first is a tank, but without an internal combustion engine, we can’t escape this infinite hell…”

* * *

When Hyang created a tractor variant using a steam engine, Sejong had the idea of mounting a cannon on it.

However, this was not feasible due to safety concerns.

The problem lay in the nature of the external combustion engine, the steam engine.

Placing gunpowder and explosives near a constantly blazing firebox was extremely dangerous.

An alternative was proposed to build a barrier between the powder magazine and the engine, but this would increase the size.

No, using a steam engine for a tank was inherently impractical.

A steam engine powerful enough to be useful would be quite large and heavy.

Since the primary enemy at the initial planning stage was Ming, and they possessed cannons, the tank needed to be armored with thick iron plates to withstand Ming’s cannon fire.

This started a vicious cycle.

-The large size of the steam engine and the need to protect the cannon required the tank to be large.

-To break through enemy lines while withstanding Ming’s bombardment, it needed to be covered in armor thick enough to adequately shield its large size.

-Thick armor increased the weight, requiring a more powerful steam engine.

-A more powerful steam engine would be even larger and heavier.

-And so on, endlessly.

The best solution that emerged from this unsolvable situation was a self-propelled heavy lifter and an armored tractor for the engineers.

The self-propelled heavy lifter, armored to protect engineers in battle, was literally the size of ‘a several-dozen-칸 [unit of measurement for house size] tile-roofed house moving on its own.’ Even with only self-defense Eul-style fire carts instead of cannons.

The armored tractor was a tractor with moderately thick iron plate armor, pulling a cart similarly armored and carrying a cannon.

Since its mission was to bombard the enemy from a slightly rearward position on the front lines, it could be developed because it used thin armor.

“Good grief… we should call this a self-propelled gun, not a tank.”

As Hyang muttered, it was more like a self-propelled gun than a tank.

In some ways, these were near-failures. However, thanks to their somewhat impressive performance in the Battle of Liaodong Fortress, the Imperial Army continued to use them.

* * *

“Damn it… if I’m going to make an internal combustion engine, Texas is still far away… and the only place near 본지 [home territory] where crude oil is produced is in Ming’s core territory, so we can’t touch it…”

The famous oil fields of Texas were still a pie in the sky.

The Empire was diligently expanding its territory in 신지 [new territories]. However, it couldn’t focus its efforts on the east because it had to pay attention to the Atlantic, and the south was just beginning and blocked by jungles.

West?

The west hadn’t even properly started, and a damn desert stood in the way.

That’s why Hyang mentioned Ming.

Ming, the Empire, and the Wa Kingdom [historical Japanese kingdom] knew of the existence of crude oil.

It was already mentioned as 유수 (oil water) in the Book of Han, and Shen Kuo of the Song Dynasty wrote about 석유 (petroleum) in his book ‘Dream Pool Essays.’

Chinese historical records even mention using this crude oil in 화공 (fire attacks) [military tactics using fire]. Furthermore, the 역청 (pitch) used to coat ships and the famous ink of Ming were also made primarily from crude oil.

Therefore, Ming already had several places where crude oil flowed out from long ago.

The problem was that these areas were in the traditional Central Plains.

Even the Empire could seize these areas, but not govern them.

The Manchurian region secured through the Battle of Liaodong Fortress had the famous Daqing Oil Field, but there were problems here too.

Hyang didn’t know the exact location of these oil fields, lacked drilling technology, and, most importantly, didn’t know how to refine crude oil.

“I know that distillation is the basis…”

As Hyang said, refining crude oil is based on distillation. However, proper refining required chemical knowledge and technology.

And the Empire still had a long way to go in this area.

* * *

“The conclusion is that crude oil, internal combustion engines, and electricity are all for the ‘Evergreen Archives’…”

Hyang came to a conclusion with a look full of regret.

Already nearing old age, Hyang was making his own preparations.

These included switching with Wan and returning to 본지 [home territory] to write a list of ‘Deokjil’ [things to obsess over] activities and creating his own ‘Evergreen Archives.’

“Originally, I was going to only do the ‘Deokjil’ that is possible now and bury the rest…”

Hyang had intended to bury all the future knowledge and technology he knew, except for what was possible for ‘Deokjil’ and what the Empire’s scholars could currently achieve.

However, influenced by the ‘Evergreen Archives’ that Sejong had given him just before his death, Hyang changed his mind.

“If the level of the ‘Evergreen Archives’ left by the Taesanghwang [retired emperor] is this high, it’s okay to leave them behind.”

With this decision, Hyang began to write his own ‘Evergreen Archives.’

And there were some realistic difficulties.

“Frankly speaking, it’s a waste to bury things I know but can’t even properly grasp the concept of with the current level. But there was a limit to me stepping up and doing everything myself.”

Whether it was electricity or internal combustion engines, if scholars and artisans were 갈아 넣으면 (ground down) [worked to the bone] based on the concepts and knowledge Hyang knew, they could achieve some results. However, persuading the scholars and artisans was the problem.

“It’s hard to explain how I knew. ‘I just thought so’ has its limits now… especially that damn ‘oxygen’ and ‘combustion’… Hooo~. If I go any further, the ‘Lee Hyang Alien Theory’ will become the accepted theory.”

Knowing these limitations, he decided to leave the knowledge he had intended to bury in the ‘Evergreen Archives.’

“It’s possible because there’s the Taesanghwang’s ‘Evergreen Archives.’ This way, I’ll just remain as ‘a human with unique perspectives and thoughts.'”

Hyang began to create the ‘Evergreen Archives’ with this calculation.

As an aside, Sejong and Hyang’s ‘Evergreen Archives,’ along with the 도전록 (Book of Challenges), were treated as top secrets. And when they were revealed after a much longer time, they became the center of historical controversy and all sorts of conspiracy theories.

* * *

While Hyang was 고민 [preoccupied] between his passion for ‘Deokjil’ and the limitations of reality, an official request arrived from 본지 [home territory].

Hyang, who received the official request submitted by the Imperial Army’s Ministry of National Defense and approved by Wan, shone his eyes.

“This is what I expected… Huh? This is? I didn’t expect this?”

What Hyang expected was the mass production of the ‘갑식 경화차 (Gap-sik Gyeonghwacha/Type A Light Fire Cart).’ [A type of mobile artillery]

The Imperial Army commanders who participated in the Mesika conquest submitted reports praising the effectiveness of the 경화차 (Gyeonghwacha/Light Fire Cart) [Light Fire Cart].

The Imperial Army’s high command and the Ministry of National Defense, after reviewing the combat reports and post-war analysis reports written at the time of the conquest, brought 경화차 (Gyeonghwacha/Light Fire Cart) [Light Fire Cart] from 신지 [new territories] and began field tests in 북지 [northern territories].

The evaluations from 북지 [northern territories] were also very positive, so the Ministry of National Defense decided to officially adopt the 갑식 경화차 (Gap-sik Gyeonghwacha/Type A Light Fire Cart) [Type A Light Fire Cart].

With this decision, the 갑식 경화차 (Gap-sik Gyeonghwacha/Type A Light Fire Cart) [Type A Light Fire Cart] was transformed from a region-specific weapon used only in 신지 [new territories] into a weapon used in all regions of the Empire.

On the other hand, from the perspective of countries hostile to or wary of the Empire, one more ‘damn troublesome Imperial weapon’ was added.

The official adoption of the 경화차 (Gyeonghwacha/Light Fire Cart) [Light Fire Cart] had a significant impact on 신지 [new territories].

This was because, according to Wan’s orders, the 갑식 경화차 (Gap-sik Gyeonghwacha/Type A Light Fire Cart) [Type A Light Fire Cart] was to be produced in 신지 [new territories] and supplied to the Imperial Army.

Until then, all the funds for the development of 신지 [new territories] were supported by 본지 [home territory].

In this situation, the fact that the production cost of the 갑식 경화차 (Gap-sik Gyeonghwacha/Type A Light Fire Cart) [Type A Light Fire Cart] was entering 신지 [new territories] meant that 신지 [new territories] was finally beginning to become self-sufficient.

In some ways, it was similar to ‘playing with numbers,’ but it was a very symbolic event.

* * *

If the ‘official adoption of the 갑식 경화차 (Gap-sik Gyeonghwacha/Type A Light Fire Cart) [Type A Light Fire Cart]’ was within Hyang’s expectations, there was also something Hyang did not expect.

“They’re asking me to make a ‘투척탄 발사기 (Tucheoktan Balsagi/Grenade Launcher)?’ [Grenade Launcher]”

Hyang, who received another request from the Imperial Army, wore an expression of surprise.

The performance of the weapon requested by the Imperial Army can be summarized as follows:

-A firearm that can fire 화탄 (Hwatan/Fire Bomb) [Fire Bomb] with similar power to 투척탄 (Tucheoktan/Hand Bomb) [Hand Bomb] farther than 투척탄 (Tucheoktan/Hand Bomb) [Hand Bomb].

-Operated by one or two soldiers.

-Should not require a long time for education and training.

Hyang tilted his head slightly after confirming the ‘required performance’ set by the Imperial Army.

“What should I call this? 총류탄 (Chongryutan/Rifle Grenade)? [Rifle Grenade] 유탄 (Yutan/Grenade)? [Grenade]”

The ‘Mesika Battle’ was the background for the Imperial Army’s request for such a weapon.

The Imperial Army used 투척탄 (Tucheoktan/Hand Bomb) [Hand Bomb] very effectively in the jungle battles of the Mesika region, as well as in the urban warfare of Tenochtitlan.

The power itself was much weaker than 비격진천뢰 (Bigyeokjincheonroe/Thunder-Crashing Bomb) [Thunder-Crashing Bomb], but the portability of 투척탄 (Tucheoktan/Hand Bomb) [Hand Bomb] was far superior.

The Imperial Army commanders who participated in the battle all paid attention to this portability.

However, there were also shortcomings.

Because it was thrown by a person, it could not fly far.

The Imperial Army’s high command, after reviewing the reports of the participating commanders, all nodded their heads.

“Certainly, 투척탄 (Tucheoktan/Hand Bomb) [Hand Bomb] is good to carry around and use.”

“I agree. 비격진천뢰 (Bigyeokjincheonroe/Thunder-Crashing Bomb) [Thunder-Crashing Bomb] is certain, but it must have a 완구 (Wangu/Cannon Mouth) [Cannon Mouth].”

“And there is a limit to continuing to drag that 완구 (Wangu/Cannon Mouth) [Cannon Mouth] around…”

“The problem is that 투척탄 (Tucheoktan/Hand Bomb) [Hand Bomb] cannot fly as far as 비격진천뢰 (Bigyeokjincheonroe/Thunder-Crashing Bomb) [Thunder-Crashing Bomb]. No matter how well the soldiers throw, it is inferior to 완구 (Wangu/Cannon Mouth) [Cannon Mouth].”

“I agree.”

In this way, the Imperial Army decided to develop a 투척탄 발사기 (Tucheoktan Balsagi/Grenade Launcher) [Grenade Launcher].

Following the Imperial Army’s decision, the artisans of Area 51 began developing a 투척탄 발사기 (Tucheoktan Balsagi/Grenade Launcher) [Grenade Launcher].

However, the Imperial Army’s leaders all wore strange expressions when they saw the 투척탄 발사기 (Tucheoktan Balsagi/Grenade Launcher) [Grenade Launcher] made by the artisans.

“The performance seems okay, but something seems lacking…”

“I agree. Something seems a little lacking, something…”

When similar results came out in the subsequent field evaluations, Wan immediately commissioned Hyang to develop it.

* * *

Hyang nodded after learning the circumstances through the records sent by the Imperial Army.

“Certainly… there is a problem.”

-Similar power to 투척탄 (Tucheoktan/Hand Bomb) [Hand Bomb]

-Fly farther than 투척탄 (Tucheoktan/Hand Bomb) [Hand Bomb].

-Operated by one or two soldiers.

Hyang remembered that there were more than one or two weapons that met these requirements.

“There’s 총류탄 (Chongryutan/Rifle Grenade) [Rifle Grenade], 유탄 (Yutan/Grenade) [Grenade], 60mm mortar, and that famous Japanese army’s 척탄통 (Cheoktantong/Grenade Discharger)… [Grenade Discharger]”

They all met the Imperial Army’s requirements but had different advantages and disadvantages. Therefore, other weapons besides the 척탄통 (Cheoktantong/Grenade Discharger) [Grenade Discharger] continued to be used even in the 21st century.

“Hmm… then my choice is… considering the current technological level of the Empire…”

Among the many candidates that came to mind, Hyang chose the M79 grenade launcher.

“Of course, I can’t make the 유탄 (Yutan/Grenade) [Grenade] itself with the same detonating device and safety device… but it will still earn its keep.”