Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 840

840. Europe’s Pursuit (7)

Hyang’s response to the headquarters’ request was sent back.

Based on the blueprints Hyang provided, the Imperial Army began field evaluations using prototypes from Area 51.

In the border regions where Mongolia, Ming, and the Empire converged, the ‘grenades’ and ‘grenade launchers’ created by Hyang proved highly effective in actual combat against bandits.

During this period, cavalry units were primarily engaged in skirmishes with bandits along the border.

Consistent with the Imperial Army’s reputation for being ‘cannon crazy,’ artillery pieces were also deployed alongside the cavalry.

However, during frequent pursuits of fast-moving bandits, artillery proved quite cumbersome.

In this context, grenades and grenade launchers emerged as the ideal weapons for the cavalry.

Their easy portability, allowing them to be hung on the saddle while moving, their lethal power comparable to thrown grenades, their superior range, and their effectiveness in covertly approaching bandit hideouts for a decisive strike made them invaluable.

The Imperial Army’s high command, upon receiving overwhelmingly positive usage evaluation reports, promptly decided to adopt them and sought approval from Wan.

Once Wan granted his approval, grenades and grenade launchers were immediately put into mass production and distributed to the Imperial Army.

The reaction of the Imperial Army, particularly the soldiers, was somewhat mixed.

“It’s definitely more useful than thrown grenades, but…”

“It’s not like we’re not already carrying thrown grenades, right? We carry thrown grenades as thrown grenades, and we carry this thing as this thing…”

“It’s annoying enough to carry a rifle when marching, and now they want us to carry another one? Hey, newbie! You’re carrying the grenade launcher from now on!”

As they addressed one problem only to encounter another, Wan and his ministers exchanged perplexed glances.

The challenge they now faced was Hyang’s latest proposal.

-Proposal Regarding the Improvement of Standard Imperial Army Bullets

“He sent it again…”

“Haa… How many times has this been…”

* * *

Since the adoption of the Eul-sik rifle, there had been no significant changes to the Imperial Army’s bullets.

The caliber, length, bullet weight, and propellant quantity remained consistent across the Eul-sik and Byeong-sik rifles.

The only difference was the cartridge. The Eul-sik rifle used a paper cartridge with a copper base plate containing a primer, while the Byeong-sik rifle and hwacha [multiple rocket launcher] used a cartridge made entirely of copper.

And Hyang persisted in sending proposals to modify this bullet.

-I’m not suggesting a complete overhaul. The bullet and propellant aspects should remain as they are.

-Only two things need to be changed.

-First, encase the bullet in a copper jacket, and second, remove the rim from the bottom of the cartridge.

Hyang continued to elaborate on the benefits of these changes.

-Enclosing the bullet in a copper jacket simplifies barrel maintenance.

The lead bullets currently in use deposit lead residue inside the barrel with each firing.

This lead buildup causes malfunctions and impairs accuracy.

A copper jacket would resolve most of these issues.

-Removing the rim from the bottom of the cartridge serves a similar purpose.

The rim was initially retained on the base plate due to limitations in manufacturing technology.

In the case of the Eul-sik rifle, the rim ensured reliable cartridge ejection after firing.

However, technology has progressed to the point where manufacturing Byeong-sik rifles and hwachas is feasible.

This eliminates the need for the rim.

In fact, the rim has become a hindrance.

-Byeong-sik rifles and hwachas, as well as Gap-sik light hwachas, are all capable of continuous firing. However, the protruding rim complicates the operating mechanism.

-A complex operating mechanism necessitates more parts, increasing the likelihood of failure and raising production costs.

(Omitted below)

“Everything he says is absolutely correct, but… Hooo~.”

“Hooo~.”

Wan’s voice trailed off into a sigh. The ministers echoed his sentiment.

Speaking on their behalf, the new Minister of Finance, Im Sun-wook, began, “As Your Majesty stated, Situ’s proposal is undeniably sound. However, the challenge lies in implementing it given the Empire’s current circumstances.”

As Im Sun-wook finished, Kim Jong-seo sighed and added, “Hooo~. We’ve produced too many. No, we’re still producing them.”

* * *

The Empire, having learned from the Liaodong War and the subsequent Second Yellow Sea Battle—or rather, the landing operation that coincided with the naval battle—carefully analyzed the lessons learned.

Recognizing the immense consumption of bullets and shells during the war, the Empire began producing and stockpiling vast quantities of ammunition each year.

They remained wary of potential conflicts with Ming or Japan, and skirmishes continued to erupt in the northern border regions with Mongolian tribes disguised as bandits.

Consequently, the Empire adopted a policy of producing and storing sufficient bullets and shells to prepare for any eventuality.

-We will produce them in large quantities if a war breaks out anyway, but we must have enough supplies to last until then.

This very policy now presented an obstacle.

The bullets for the Eul-sik rifles and the shells for the hwachas were, at least, manageable.

Thanks to the active sale of the rifles and hwachas that were being phased out with the introduction of the Byeong-sik models, it was possible to quickly deplete the inventory. In fact, additional production was even undertaken to meet the ‘Suez War special demand.’

In the case of shells, pirates proved helpful.

The ongoing suppression of pirates, who displayed remarkable resilience, steadily consumed shells, and the hwachas themselves took longer to replace than rifles.

Subsequently, as the Byeong-sik rifles and hwachas became the standard, the armory in Area 51 ramped up bullet production.

The sheer volume of bullets required for training exercises by deployed units and for use in border conflicts was staggering.

Given the Imperial Army’s emphasis on live-fire training, production volume only increased.

As a result, the stockpile of bullets for Byeong-sik rifles and hwachas grew to enormous proportions. And it continued to grow.

This was due to replenishing the ammunition expended during the Mesica [likely a fictionalized version of the Americas] conquest and producing the amount to be supplied to the Imperial Army stationed in the Mesica region.

* * *

Therefore, Wan and his ministers wore troubled expressions upon receiving Hyang’s proposal.

“While Situ’s points are valid, it’s simply not feasible given the current ammunition surplus.”

“Is it impossible to take the bullets currently in stock and recycle them?”

Minister of National Defense Jang Hang-seon shook his head at Wan’s question.

“I regret to inform you that it is not possible. The bullet itself can be recycled relatively easily, but the problem lies with the gunpowder and primer within the cartridge. A catastrophic accident could occur if we mishandle it.”

Even in the 21st century, the safe disposal of old military explosives remains a challenge. Despite the Empire’s technological advancements through Hyang’s influence, it was beyond the capabilities of this era.

Therefore, the disposal of old ammunition at this time was straightforward: it was fired off at a shooting range established in an uninhabited area.

Following Jang Hang-seon’s explanation, Im Sun-wook stepped forward.

“Modifying the Byeong-sik rifles and hwachas to accommodate the new bullets also presents a problem. Situ has provided blueprints for the necessary parts, but the time and expense of producing those parts, selecting the rifles and hwachas for modification, performing the modifications, retraining the soldiers, and the overall cost is staggering. Furthermore, if we factor in the cost of replacing the equipment needed to produce bullets, rifles, and hwachas to the new standards, as well as the defect rate and consumption costs that will arise until the artisans become proficient, it becomes utterly impossible.”

“Kkeueung….”

Wan groaned and frowned at Im Sun-wook’s response. Seeing Wan’s displeasure, Im Sun-wook quickly bowed his head.

“I am unable to resolve this issue given the current circumstances. Please forgive my inadequacy.”

“Please forgive our inadequacy!”

Not only Im Sun-wook but all the ministers bowed their heads and begged for forgiveness, prompting Wan to wave his hand.

“It is not your inadequacy, but the unfavorable circumstances. I will not hold it against you.”

“Your Majesty’s grace is boundless!”

“Hmm… Then, what if we sell all the rifles and hwachas we have produced and manufacture new ones? Similar to what we did with the Eul-sik rifles and Eul-sik hwachas.”

Jang Hang-seon stepped forward and responded to Wan’s suggestion.

“That is not possible. We were able to adopt that approach with the Eul-sik rifles and hwachas because they were inferior to the Byeong-sik models. However, in this instance, nothing changes except for the standard.”

“I see. That’s truly unfortunate. Tsk!”

Wan could not conceal his disappointment at Jang Hang-seon’s answer and clicked his tongue.

As Jang Hang-seon pointed out, the weapons that the Empire sold to other countries were always one generation behind. Therefore, Wan’s proposal was unfeasible.

“Hooo~. There’s no other option. I will make a decision.”

At Wan’s words, the ministers all looked at him with nervous anticipation.

‘Will he deem it impossible? Or will he use his authority to force it through?’

Observing the ministers’ anxiety, Wan announced his decision.

“I will not accept Situ’s proposal at this time. The reason I am committing a great act of impiety by rejecting Situ’s reasonable proposal is because the Empire’s situation is not conducive to it. I trust that you will understand my difficult position and work even harder.”

“We obey your command!”

“Let’s take a break!”

Declaring a temporary recess and stepping outside, Wan gazed up at the sky and sighed.

“Hooo~. How should I write a letter to minimize the criticism?”

* * *

“Tsk! I knew it would be like this….”

Hyang clicked his tongue as he read Wan’s reply, which arrived via the next regular mail.

Hyang had not expected his proposal to be readily accepted.

After all, he was the one who had mandated mass production and storage.

Nevertheless, he persisted in making such proposals for the sake of the future.

‘As firearms evolve, bullets must also evolve accordingly. However, weaponry, particularly military firearms, tends to be the most resistant to change. I have to engage in this seemingly pointless exercise to ensure that future generations remember the necessity of progress and continue to move forward.’

As long as there is a record that Hyang, the emperor, consistently advocated for these changes, future military technicians would not neglect the bullet aspect.

‘But still….’

“Tsk!”

Hyang clicked his tongue and grumbled.

“Impossible because there is too much inventory? Does he think he’s MacArthur [General Douglas MacArthur, known for his strong opinions and influence in the US military]?”

Just before World War II, during the development of a new rifle for the U.S. military, MacArthur insisted:

-Make it compatible with the .30-06 Springfield cartridge!

MacArthur’s insistence stemmed from the massive stockpile of Springfield cartridges.