Black Corporation: Joseon

“Well… Then, how should we deal with these Portuguese and Spanish who are gradually approaching us?”

At Sejong’s question, the ministers’ gazes all focused on Hyang.

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

To Hyang’s question, Hwang Hui was the first to speak.

“Among those here, the Crown Prince was the first to speak about the danger of the Westerners. Therefore, wouldn’t you naturally be prepared?”

At Hwang Hui’s words, Sejong and the ministers nodded simultaneously. Especially Jo Mal-saeng, who looked at Hyang with eyes full of expectation.

“Perhaps you have prepared new cannons or muskets?”

At Jo Mal-saeng’s question, Hyang made an expression of disbelief.

“It hasn’t been long since the new model musket was adopted, has it?”

“Didn’t the report come up? It’s only last month that we moved from low-rate production to mass production.”

The breech-loading musket adopting the trapdoor mechanism was adopted last year. And the artisans who had become accustomed to making the new muskets through the low-rate production that had been going on until now were just starting to pick up speed.

However, Jo Mal-saeng still continued with eyes full of expectation.

“I know that, but I was wondering if there might be something new being researched.”

At Jo Mal-saeng’s words, Hyang shook his head.

“There is, but it’s not feasible now. If we were to immediately adopt what’s currently being researched, we’d have to replace all production facilities starting from bullet production facilities, and the artisans would have to learn from scratch again. If that happens, not only would we excessively use the budget, but there’s a high possibility we might miss the timing.”

“Ah…”

At Hyang’s words, Sejong and the ministers let out sighs full of regret.

If Hyang, who spent money like water, said it was impossible due to budget reasons, it meant it was truly impossible.

“With the newly deployed Eul-sik muskets and Eul-sik fire carts, as well as the existing Gab-sik muskets and cannons, it’s possible to defend our Joseon. Because they have to cross the sea, after all. As long as they choose the route of sailing around Africa, they absolutely cannot send a large army.”

‘How could 15th century Portugal and Spain? That’s only possible for America during World War II!’

The ministers nodded at Hyang’s explanation.

“Hmm…”

“I see.”

“There was the obstacle of the sea…”

Unlike the ministers nodding at Hyang’s explanation, Sejong, who had been thinking deeply, opened his mouth.

“Historiographers and scribes, stop recording for a moment. What I’m about to say must not remain in the records.”

“But…”

“Shh…”

The historiographers and scribes who were about to protest immediately put down their hands when the sound of a double siot (alphabet-sound) escaped from Sejong’s mouth.

After confirming that the historiographers and scribes had put down their hands, Sejong asked Hyang.

“I think your words are correct regarding the Westerners who have to cross the long sea route. Then what if those to the west and south of our Joseon come rushing in?”

Although he used the words ‘west’ and ‘south’ just in case, Sejong was now mentioning Ming and Japan, assuming them as enemy countries.

At Sejong’s words, the historiographers and scribes breathed sighs of relief.

‘Fortunately, we didn’t hear that!’

At Sejong’s question, Hyang first observed the ministers. Surprisingly, the ministers showed expressions full of curiosity rather than surprise, shock, or concern.

‘Japan is one thing, but Ming has also lost quite a lot of goodwill… Well, considering what’s happened so far…’

***

From the early days of Joseon, Ming had taken quite a lot from Joseon. There were simple tributes, but there was also a considerable amount of strategic confiscation to weaken Joseon’s military power, such as horses.

This practice disappeared after the Xuande Emperor ascended to the throne and Hyang began to act in earnest.

The ministers who had experienced such exploitation and military checks had no aversion to recognizing Ming as a potential enemy country.

***

Only after confirming the ministers’ reactions could Hyang answer Sejong’s question.

“In the case of the south, we have the navy, so it’s not a big burden. So, the side you’re concerned about is the west, isn’t it?”

“That’s right. We can say we’re friendly now, but there’s always the possibility of things going wrong.”

At Sejong’s affirmation, Hyang immediately answered.

“There’s only one answer. If there are signs of the west turning hostile, we have no choice but to make and spread a lot – just a lot – of Eul-sik muskets, Eul-sik fire carts, as well as thunder-crash bombs and throwing bombs. Of course, while actively avoiding direct confrontation and relying on Joseon’s mountainous terrain.”

“I suppose so…”

As Sejong nodded, Jo Mal-saeng followed up.

“If it comes to that, the role of the reserve forces and throwing bombs will become important. We should train them even more diligently.”

***

According to the early Joseon military system, the size of the Joseon army was supposed to maintain 300,000 troops at all times.

However, this number of 300,000 had never been properly maintained until Sejong carried out the reforms.

There were various reasons, but the biggest reason was that Joseon didn’t have the ability to maintain that military force.

Therefore, even during the Tsushima expedition in the first year of Sejong’s reign, there was a shortage of troops, and large-scale conscription took place in the three southern provinces (Chungcheong, Jeolla, Gyeongsang).

Because of this situation, the military system was drastically reorganized as the reforms progressed.

First, the boyin (protection) system^[1] was abolished, and the country directly paid salaries. At the same time, the number of forcibly conscripted soldiers was gradually reduced. The size of the military was reduced to a level that didn’t immediately endanger national defense.

In the early stages of the reforms, due to budget issues, professional soldiers were filled mainly with cavalry and artillery, which could be considered the true main force. Later, as Joseon’s capabilities strengthened, the size of the military began to grow again, and both the army and navy could increase in size.

However, this didn’t mean that Joseon had given up on the ‘300,000 great army’, and here Hyang’s cleverness shone.

He created the ‘reserve forces’.

As the household registry was properly compiled, men of military service age became subject to military service regardless of social status.

Among these military service subjects, men who didn’t become soldiers were assigned to the reserve forces.

These reserve forces were called up in units of several villages during the winter and received two weeks of military training.

During the two-week training period, the reserve forces practiced drill movements and were educated in marksmanship and the use of throwing bombs.

On the eleventh and twelfth days, live-fire exercises were conducted. They actually fired 20 shots and threw 4 throwing bombs over two days.

On the thirteenth day, they divided into teams and engaged in stone-throwing battles. The reserve forces, wearing proper helmets and plate armor – although it was wrought iron, not steel – became accustomed to small unit tactics by blocking the opponent’s stones with shields and throwing stones at the opponent according to the commander’s orders.

If a war broke out and the situation required mobilizing the reserve forces, these trained reserve forces would be called up to face the enemy – this was the countermeasure created by Hyang and the Ministry of Defense.

And the true main weapon of these organized reserve forces was the throwing bomb.

In the palace intrusion incident that occurred in the year of Giyu, throwing bombs properly demonstrated their power. Impressed by this power, the military made throwing bombs in large quantities – really large quantities. Of course, they were just shells with the gunpowder removed for safe storage, but if something happened, those empty shells would be filled with gunpowder and distributed to the reserve forces.

As a side note, there was a small problem due to gunpowder.

Although only 20 live rounds and 4 throwing bombs were given per person, when added up, it was an enormous amount.

Therefore, at that time, starting with Kim Jeom, there was tremendous opposition from the Ministry of Finance. In the end, only the people living in the northern border areas could receive live-fire training, and other regions had to replace all that time with stone-throwing battles.

Of course, the people who could freely engage in stone-throwing battles, which had been legally prohibited until then, were excited.

In the end, it was only after large quantities of saltpeter came in from India that reserve forces across Joseon could receive proper live-fire training.

And as a considerable amount of this imported saltpeter was diverted to fertilizer production, the whining from the Ministry of Finance came to an end.

***

After answering Sejong’s question, Hyang concluded.

“In my opinion, developing new weapons right now seems excessive. Rather, what we need right now is to cultivate large numbers of people like the artisans working in ironworks and iron horse production facilities.”

At Hyang’s words, Sejong immediately expressed doubt.

“Artisans working in ironworks and making iron horses? Not artisans making weapons?”

“That’s right. The reason is…”

Hyang calmly explained the reason.

-The current Challenger-class and Haeung-class warships are powerful ships that can’t find a match in the vicinity. However, as time passes, ships with even stronger firepower and defense will be needed.

-The optimal material for making such ships is iron. Iron ships with high-quality steel keels and ribs covered with thick iron plates will become fortresses on the sea.

-What’s important here is not only the quality of the iron used but also the size of the iron plates. Only by making and attaching huge iron plates the size of a house can proper iron ships be made.

-To make such large iron plates, not only are the facilities of the ironworks important, but also the level of the artisans producing the iron.

-The importance of artisans producing iron horses is the same. Riveting is the best way to attach iron plates to the keel and ribs of ships.

-Those who are accustomed to making large objects through riveting work are the artisans who make iron horses.

-The problem is that it’s impossible to build a ship with just one or two artisans. Therefore, a large number of artisans need to be cultivated through iron horse production facilities.

“…Lastly, to add, if high-quality and large iron plates are made, it also becomes easier to make iron horses with even better performance. Not only can the size of the heating tank that boils water be increased, but the number of joints where water can leak is also reduced.”

Sejong, who had listened to Hyang’s explanation, nodded greatly as if he finally understood.

“It’s a relationship of biting and being bitten.”

“That’s right.”

Sejong looked around at the ministers.

“The Crown Prince’s plan seems appropriate, so think about it according to this and report.”

“We receive your command!”

Leaving the ministers’ answers behind, Sejong complained to Hyang.

“National defense is becoming more and more complicated.”

“Although it hasn’t changed from the past to now that both the monarch and the people devote themselves wholeheartedly when war breaks out, cannons and gunpowder are truly demonic things that demand the total power of the state.”

At Hyang’s words, Sejong replied with a bitter face.

“They are indeed demonic things. But without them, the country would be in immediate danger, and that’s the problem.”

***

That evening, Hyang, who had left the East Palace, headed to Hassan’s house.

“Welcome, Your Highness!”

Hassan, who had heard of Hyang’s visit, rushed out to greet him.

“I’m sorry for coming at such a late hour.”

“Not at all!”

“Is Mansur inside?”

“Yes.”

“I’d like to meet him.”

“Please come in! I’ll call him right away!”

As Hyang took the seat of honor in the guest room, Mansur, who had been called by Hassan, came in and paid his respects to Hyang.

“It’s nothing much, but there was something I didn’t ask earlier, so I came.”

“Please ask.”

“What does Cosimo de’ Medici truly want? The map he sent is not something that can be obtained through a simple connection. It’s a map that can’t be obtained without significant investment in the country that made it. Yet, after making such an investment, he wants the current situation to be maintained? It doesn’t add up. What does he truly want?”

At Hyang’s question, Mansur thought deeply and then opened his mouth.

“In my opinion, Cosimo de’ Medici seems to be worried about Portugal’s betrayal. There’s a possibility that Portugal might monopolize the profits that can be gained through the route to Joseon.”

“So, he’s going to build a connection with us in advance and then flaunt it?”

“That’s highly likely. And there’s a rumor widely spread among the merchants of Alexandria, but they say he’s going to dig a canal.”

“A canal?”

‘Is it the Suez Canal?’

Hyang, who was mulling over Mansur’s answer, opened his mouth.

“The merchants of Alexandria wouldn’t like that.”

“That’s right.”

***

Hyang, who had left Hassan’s house, muttered softly.

“A canal…”

As he was returning to the East Palace, pondering various things, Hyang made a strange expression.

“How about a railroad instead of a canal? And if we send Jinpyeong there…”