Black Corporation: Joseon - Chapter 223

Episode 223: Ocean Fleet. (3)

Contrary to the concerns of the training commander, ‘high-ranking people’ including the Taoist priests gave favorable evaluations.

“Overall, the effect looks good.”

At Jo Mal-saeng’s words, the naval dojeoljes also nodded.

“That’s right. “I think it would be good to build a similar facility for Panokseon and use it for training.”

“I agree. Of course, unlike the land, which does not sway, the sea can sway even if the wind is slightly strong. If you know how to move in advance, it would be much better since you only need to get used to the sloshing motion. “This is the best part because it allows us to filter out in advance those who do not know how to do things properly.”

“I’ll buy it back. What matters is whether you get this job right or not. “You can’t have an infinite number of people on a ship.”

The naval dojeoljes insisted on more active use.

The military officials and high-ranking military officers who were sharing their opinions looked back.

“What do you think?”

Hyang, who received the question, answered with a puzzled expression.

“I don’t have anything else to say since you guys are evaluating it so favorably. “I’m just satisfied because they say it’s useful for nurturing a strong naval force.”

Those who checked the results all evaluated them favorably, and a report documenting them was sent to King Sejong. After checking the report, King Sejong opened his mouth, fixing his gaze on the ministers, especially Kim Jeom.

“It is very effective in nurturing sailors who operate ships, and I am suggesting that Panokseon go through the same process. “I think it’s a very good opinion, but what do you think?”

At Sejong’s words, Kim Jeom began to calculate his profits and losses for a moment.

‘It’s definitely something that costs money. However, since it is built on land, it is easy to maintain. And if you think about the losses that unfamiliar sailors may suffer if they go out to sea right away, not only in terms of people but also the ship…’

Kim Jeom, who had diligently calculated profits and losses, immediately bowed his head and answered.

“It is true that building the facilities the Navy wants costs a lot of money. However, if we can train skilled sailors through this, we can actually reduce losses in the future. “I think it will be beneficial in the long run.”

“Does Hopan agree?”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

After hearing Kim Jeom’s answer, King Sejong looked back at the other ministers. Since Hojo, who held the government’s purse strings, was in favor, there were no ministers who spoke out against it.

King Sejong confirmed the reaction of the ministers again.

“Do other ministers also agree?”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Sejong made a decision after making sure of the confirmation.

“Then accept the Navy’s request and build a training facility.”

“I follow your orders!”

The officer who recorded all of this added:

When the ministers unanimously agreed to Sang’s question, Sang ordered that the navy’s work be carried out as requested.

The officer discusses.

It is surprising that Hopan, who is normally opposed to spending money, is in favor.

I guess you took too much of the tonic.

* * *

Meanwhile, the Challenger was conducting combat training in the East Sea.

Unlike the West or South Seas, the East Sea was the optimal training location for ships like the Challenger.

The Challenger, which was wandering around the East Sea whenever it had the chance, was full of yelling from its captain, Oh Ha-seok.

“You guys! Don’t move too fast!”

“Let’s finish it quickly and go back quickly!”

“Is this your first time on a boat? “Aren’t you out of your mind?”

Every time Oh Ha-seok’s reprimand came out, the sailors became agitated and responded.

“I’m sorry, Sir!”

“Captain!”

“Yes Captain!”

“Move quickly!”

“Yes I… Captain!”

Oh Ha-seok let out a long sigh as he watched the sailors quickly disappear as soon as they answered.

“Whoa~. These guys are in charge of ship number 2….”

There were more than one mission that the Challenger was currently assigned to.

– As the first ship of the ocean-going fleet, it was soon to embark on a long-distance voyage.

– We also took over the border of the East Sea, which had been neglected until now.

– We also had to train the sailors who would operate the second ship, which is now in the process of being finalized.

Therefore, most of the sailors currently operating the Challenger – from military officers to sailors – were not those who originally operated the Challenger, but those who would operate the second ship.

Oh Ha-seok was the captain of the Challenger and was responsible for teaching them.

Because the responsibility was so great, Oh Ha-seok’s nerves were extremely sharp.

“You guys! I won’t move properly! And then you are Joseon’s navy!”

Oh Ha-seok, who was not happy with the sailors’ movements, raised his voice and shouted again.

“You guys! Looking at what you guys are doing now, my retirement will be quicker than going to Aden! What? “Can you see my feet?”

*

…

Gong~Gong~Gong~

At the sudden sound of the gong, Oh Ha-seok, who was commanding the ship, ran under the mast and put the loudspeaker to his mouth.

“Keep an eye on me! “What’s going on!”

“There are Japanese ships on the starboard side!”

“starboard?”

In response to Gyunsi’s answer, Oh Ha-seok jumped up to the stern deck.

Arriving at the highest point of the stern, Oh Ha-seok took out a monoscope and looked at the sea.

As several ships came into view in the distance, Oh Ha-seok took a closer look.

“It’s definitely a Japanese ship. “In terms of size, are they fishing boats?”

Oh Ha-seok looked at the small Japanese ships, which were visible even through a monoscope, and gave an order.

“steering! “Starboard attack!”

“yes! “Starboard battle~.”

With the helmsman’s reply, the Challenger tilted at an angle and began to steer.

“Gosu (drumming)! Beat the drum! “It’s a battle!”

“yes!”

At Oh Ha-seok’s command, Go Soo started beating the big drum.

Floating!

The sailors’ voices came out from all directions to the sound of drums beating at regular intervals.

“Ready for battle! “Ready for battle!”

With the slogan ‘Prepare for battle’, the sailors moved quickly.

Oh Ha-seok saw that and shook his head slightly.

“At least the battle preparations are quick…”

Oh Ha-seok did his best to lead even though he continued to grumble.

“Unfurl all sails! “Go forward at maximum speed!”

“yes! Hoist the sails!”

In this way, the Challenger, with all six sails spread, began to speed up towards the vaguely visible Japanese ships in the distance.

* * *

“Inspiration! “There’s a boat coming!”

“ship? What ship?”

Oshiro, who was leading the fishing team, excited about his first big catch in a long time, looked up when he heard the young fisherman’s call.

“where?”

“To the north!”

“North? “North?”

In response to the young fisherman, Oshiro raised his hand to block the light and looked north.

“There is nothing….”

‘There is nothing.’ Oshiro, who was trying to say this, was unable to finish his sentence.

A huge ship with gray sails was rushing towards them.

“Where did you get a ship like that….”

“Inspiration! How do I do this?”

Oshiro, who was watching the boat approaching faster and faster with confused eyes, came to his senses when he heard the young fisherman’s shout.

“Drop the net! And hoist the sails! Run away! And row with all your might!”

At Oshiro’s cry, the fishermen who rode with him threw the nets they had been holding into the sea and prepared to run away.

The fishermen unfolded their sails and began rowing with all their might.

Oshiro’s fishing boat and other fishing boats desperately tried to escape, but

the gray fishing boat in question was approaching faster and faster.

“What kind of ship moves at that speed…”

Oshiro turned pale as he watched the gray ship getting closer and closer.

A large ship with as many as six sails, which seemed larger than the sails on the ship on which they were riding, was approaching faster and faster.

As the distance closed so quickly, Oshiro sighed as he saw the people on the ship in question.

“Damn it! “It’s the Joseon Army!”

Oshiro, who had experience in plundering against the Goryeo Dynasty (more precisely, the newly founded Joseon Dynasty) when he was young, was able to identify the ship when he saw the military flag and the soldiers holding swords.

It was certain that the Joseon army would have artillery, and that with such a large ship, there would be a large number of them.

Oshiro remembered an old nightmare.

Oshiro didn’t know much about it, but the battle that gave him nightmares was the first Tsushima conquest that took place in the 5th year of King Taejo’s reign (1396).

Ooshiro gritted his teeth and shouted.

“Damn it! If caught, you will be put to death! “Run away with all your might!”

“There are four Japanese ships in total!”

“Hmm…”

Oh Ha-seok looked at the situation. Considering the size of the Japanese ships running away with all their might, it was clear that they were fishing boats.

Firing artillery at such a small ship was almost a waste of gunpowder. However, it was impossible to lower a small boat to chase them.

“As always, in times like this… Joranhwan is the best! Gather the Fuhrermen on deck! “For artillery, prepare only shotgun shells!”

“yes! “Captain!”

Oh Ha-seok then gave orders to the helmsman.

“Go ahead and block it!”

“Yes Captain!”

The chase that followed ended with the Challenger overtaking the fleeing fishing boats and blocking the road.

“Does anyone know how to speak English?”

At Oh Ha-seok’s words, one of the sailors raised his hand.

“I know how to say a few simple words.”

“That’s enough. “Tell those bastards to stop right away.”

“yes.”

The sailor who was handed the loudspeaker shouted at the fleeing fishing boats.

“止まれ(Stop)!止まれ!”

A sailor with a loudspeaker shouted at the top of his lungs, but the fishing boats continued to try to escape.

Oh Ha-seok, who was looking at that, shook his head and grumbled.

“They are a group of people who don’t listen to what they say no matter what… Gunnery leader!”

“Yes Captain!”

“Starboard battery firing! Tell them to block those barges!”

“Yes Captain!”

The gunnery commander, who received Oh Ha-seok’s order, stood at the doorway leading to the second floor deck, put a loudspeaker to his mouth and shouted.

“Starboard battery firing! “Don’t sink it, just scare it!”

Kwakwakwak!

Shortly after the gunnery commander’s order was given, the 25 guns located on the starboard second floor deck opened fire all at once.

After a while, huge water columns rose up in front of the fleeing fishing boats.

“uh?”

“what?”

The Joseon navy who saw the scene – from Oh Ha-seok to the lowest-ranking sailors – were amazed.

All the fishing boats caught in the water column created when the shell fell were capsized.

“What kind of ship… no matter how small it is… is it made of paper?”

It was Joseon’s naval forces who did not realize that the performance of Hyang’s improved artillery was no joke.

Naturally, this was his first time using it in actual combat.

In the training that had taken place so far, I had not been able to properly feel its power.

* * *

Oh Ha-seok, who was watching the fishermen thrown out to sea and struggling, immediately gave an order.

“Lower the small boats and rescue them. “Don’t forget to bring the riflemen along.”

“Yes, Captain.”

“If you resist, you will be killed immediately.”

“Yes, Captain.”

According to Oh Ha-seok’s orders, the two small ships aboard the Challenger were lowered into the sea.

The small ship carrying one five-man rifleman (the smallest organization of the Joseon army consisting of five people) headed to the place where the fishing boats capsized.

After two more round trips, the surviving Japanese fishermen were brought to the Challenger.

“This is it… tsk!”

Oh Ha-seok clicked his tongue when he saw the fishermen kneeling on the deck.

The fishermen were in a state of confusion due to the shock brought on by the shelling.

“It’s not a situation for a proper interrogation, and there’s no interpreter…”

After sorting out the situation, Oh Ha-seok gave an order to the helmsman.

“Returning to port!”

“Yes Captain!”

“Tie up all these guys and lock them in the dock! And keep strict surveillance!”

“Yes Captain!”

When Oh Ha-seok’s order was given, the fishermen went down to the dock under the watchful eye of the crew.

As he watched the athlete heading back toward Wonsan, Oh Ha-seok pressed his finger between his eyebrows.

“I’m worried about writing the account….”