Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 932

932. The Imperial March (2) – Assaulting Turtle Ships, Running on Land. (20)

“We confirmed it during the last siege of Milan, but this battle makes it clear that we need to reorganize the artillery of the Imperial Army.”

The Imperial Army command nodded in agreement with Hyang’s statement.

* * *

At this time, the artillery of the Imperial Army, especially within the Imperial Army itself, was quite a ‘mess’.

Even considering just the major categories, there were eight grades, ranging from the largest General Cannon to the Paljeon Chongtong [a type of Joseon-era cannon], and finally the Wangu [another type of Joseon-era cannon].

It was fortunate that the Shinje Chongtong, Se Chongtong, and Cheolseonpo, which were small in caliber and size, had been integrated into long and short rifles and modified.

With continuous improvements, there were cannons ranging from Gapsik (Type A) to Jeongsik (Type D).

As a result, at the worst of times, the military supply list included about 40 types of cannons, including those made in the early Joseon Dynasty.

Later, as the army and navy were separated and the oldest cannons were sent to the furnace, things were somewhat organized, but the Imperial Army still had more than 20 types of cannons and matching ammunition, combining the army and navy.

In enormous quantities, too.

This was not a good situation for anyone. Therefore, from Sejong [a Joseon Dynasty king] to Hyang and Hyeon, there were movements to reorganize the severely disorganized cannon system.

However, whenever the emperors tried to initiate such movements, Ministry of National Defense officials all submitted their resignations and vehemently resisted.

-Why should we retire cannons that are still working perfectly?

-There is a saying, ‘The right tool for the right job.’ The cannons we are using now are doing their part in various places, from the border fortresses to Namhansanseong [a mountain fortress near Seoul] and Bukhansanseong [another mountain fortress near Seoul]. Reorganizing them carelessly could cause even greater chaos.

-Considering the disposal of cannons and ammunition, and the retraining of artillerymen, it would consume more than necessary!

-Above all, if we reorganize the cannons, we will have to produce new cannons and ammunition to fill the vacancies. What if we are invaded at this time? Ming [a Chinese dynasty] and Japan may be at peace now, but can we be sure that they will continue to be so in the future?

Reading the letters of resignation and joint appeals from Ministry of National Defense officials and commanders, Hyang wore a hollow expression.

“So, the conclusion is, ‘Why throw away what we’re still using well?’ and ‘Who knows when the enemy will attack, why throw away these precious shells?’ Huh~.”

Hyang sighed deeply and looked out the window.

“Was the root of the Republic of Korea Army, which used water bottles produced in World War II until the 21st century, here….”

* * *

“Much time has passed, and the world has changed a lot. Therefore, those disorganized cannons must be reorganized. Many of you generals will still oppose it, but this is inevitable.”

Hyang continued to explain why they had to reorganize through this war.

-The fortresses and trenches of the enemies we will face this time are those that they have made properly and sturdily. By facing them in actual combat, we can weed out the outdated cannons among those we have now.

-Also, by continuously moving through various fronts, we can properly identify points to be improved, including the carriages of the cannons.

-Finally, if the performance of the cannons we have now is not sufficient, we must immediately develop new cannons.

“…Therefore, we must faithfully accumulate the virtue of ‘Songyangjiin’ [using the enemy’s strong defense to test our weapons] this time. The more firmly they dig their trenches, the better we can experiment.”

“That is indeed true!”

“Your Majesty’s deep consideration and insight are beyond our comprehension!”

The Imperial Army command, having listened to Hyang’s explanation, all praised Hyang in unison.

“Then, should we execute this operation according to my plan?”

“We believe it is the best course of action!”

“It is a plan with multiple benefits, so we believe it is right to proceed!”

Hyang, Shin Suk-ju, and Seong Sam-mun were rather suspicious of the fact that those who had been full of doubts until just before were now enthusiastically welcoming it.

‘The change of attitude is too fast? Why on earth?’

‘Why are these people, who used to foam at the mouth and oppose every time we tried to get rid of cannons, doing this?’

The three, pondering to resolve the question of ‘Why on earth?’, soon found the reason.

-If the power is insufficient, we will immediately develop new cannons.

‘Was this it!’

‘These cannon-crazed people! This is why other countries criticize us!’

In any case, the ‘Songyangjiin’ operation was established and executed in this way.

Reports came in from scouting cavalry that the French army was increasing its speed, but the Imperial-Florentine allied forces, or rather, the Imperial Army, were moving leisurely.

“Aren’t we giving them too much time? If we make a mistake, it could invite disaster.”

The Florentine and Swiss commanders, unable to overcome their anxiety, showed impatience and urged action, but the Imperial Army commanders replied with expressions that it was nothing.

“Sometimes, waiting can show even greater power.”

“We are not giving them time, but rather making our preparations more thorough.”

“Ah….”

The Florentine and Swiss commanders nodded at the Imperial Army command’s explanation.

In reality, the Imperial Army was not just sitting idly by.

More and more shells, bullets, and other supplies continued to come up through the supply line from Livorno to Florence and Bologna.

In addition, the Imperial Army cavalry tirelessly roamed around, spying on the movements of France, Spain, and Habsburg.

-French army arrives in Pavia. Begins constructing fortifications.

-Habsburg army stops near Venice. Appears to be observing the situation.

-Spanish army’s movement slows down. Believed to be due to attacks by the Imperial Navy. May change course.

“I think it would be good to move after confirming the movements of the Spanish army.”

After briefly checking the situation based on Yu Eung-bu’s report, Hyang asked a question.

“Considering our forces going down to Genoa now, isn’t Spain not a big concern?”

“It seems our forces will arrive in Genoa a little faster than the Spanish army.”

“I see. Then, even if we turn to chase the Spanish army, it would take time.”

“That is correct.”

Hyang nodded at Yu Eung-bu’s explanation.

“In that case, let’s observe the movements of the Spanish army a little more and then move. And let’s contact the unit heading to Genoa and tell them to slow down.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Thus, the Imperial-Florentine allied forces, which had been staying in Milan, departed five days after the French army arrived in Pavia.

* * *

The Imperial-Florentine allied forces, which departed from Milan, arrived in Pavia ten days after the French army arrived.

“Snails would be faster than those guys!”

“An assault by such slow guys… are they going to assault in the morning and arrive in the evening?”

“Hahaha!”

French soldiers jeered as they watched the Imperial Army arriving in the distance and lining up to the left and right.

While the jeers of the French soldiers were overflowing from the trench line about 1000 cubits (about 520m) away from the walls of Pavia, the French commanders gathered on the walls were analyzing the situation with more serious faces.

“About 1/4 league (about 1km) away?”

“It seems so.”

“That’s awkward….”

The French commanders, estimating the distance between the point where the Imperial Army stopped and their own trench line, wore troubled expressions.

This was because there were no suitable means to attack the point where the Imperial Army had stopped.

No, the only means of attack they had were the cannons and Hwachas [Korean fire arrows] they possessed. Effective accuracy could not be guaranteed with the long rifles the soldiers had.

The problem was that they did not have many cannons now.

“Combining the cannons of Pavia Castle and the cannons whose carriages were broken on the way, we only have 70….”

“It’s fortunate that the repair of the carriages was completed thanks to having enough time.”

“Charging at that distance is a foolish act.”

The French commanders, examining the situation of both sides, cursed.

“Damn bastards who don’t know chivalry!”

They had realized what the Imperial Army was thinking.

-You know very well that our cannons fly farther, right?

-And you also know very well that we have more cannons, right?

-What are you going to do? Are we going to fight with artillery? Or a charge? Anything is fine. Come on in! Come on in!

“It is the principle to face each other head-on in a fair manner! With barbarians who don’t know chivalry!”

The French commanders were venting their anger, but this was just an excuse for themselves.

They knew very well that if they had many long-range cannons like the Imperial Army, they would have done the same.

“Wouldn’t it be better to launch a preemptive strike before they complete their fortifications?”

When one of the generals suggested a preemptive strike, the other generals once again examined the situation of the Imperial Army and gauged the possibilities.

However, before long, the generals all shook their heads.

“The disadvantages outweigh the advantages.”

“The distance is too far.”

“And those cunning guys have already dispersed.”

As they said, the Imperial Army was widely dispersed in preparation for a surprise attack.

Even if they launched an artillery strike with the cannons they had now, it was certain that they would not be able to inflict proper damage with the small number of cannons they had.

The conclusion was that they had to charge the soldiers, but considering the Hwachas they had, the losses would be great.

“The best course of action we can take now is to defend Pavia Castle and sit tight until reinforcements arrive.”

“Reinforcements?”

“Habsburg would be good, and Spain would be good too. Our French army would be the best.”

“Huh~.”

The French generals, who were talking, all sighed in unison.

According to the reports of the cavalry who went on reconnaissance, the situation of the Spanish army heading to Genoa was not very good either.

As time passed, the Imperial Navy properly hit the Spanish army.

As a result, they were spending a lot of time finding a route farther away from the coast, and most of the routes they found were narrow and messy compared to the coastal roads.

As these adverse conditions overlapped, the Spanish army’s movement speed was gradually slowing down, and the damage was gradually accumulating.

Habsburg was also slow, but they were deliberately lingering around Venice.

In the end, the only thing they could trust was reinforcements from their fellow Frenchmen.

“The conclusion is that the only answer is to hold out as much as possible. The only answer is for us to dig deeper while they are digging.”

“Hmm… How about ambushing them while they are digging?”

“Take a look with the telescope. Look at those Hwachas lined up. And… huh?”

At that moment, both the general who suggested the ambush and the general who refuted it were surprised and lost their words.

Choo-choo-puff-puff! Bbaeeeeeeek!

With loud whistle sounds and smoke, the excavators belonging to the Imperial Army Corps of Engineers came forward and began to dig the ground.

Every time the excavators’ huge shovel blades moved, pits that would have required dozens of people to shovel appeared, and long trench lines were being created by connecting those pits.

“Crazy bastards….”

“Enviable bastards….”

The generals on the walls and the soldiers sitting in the trench line were all muttering with similar expressions.