Black Corporation: Joseon - Chapter 497
Episode 497: Lord of war. (3)
“Have you called me?”
“I’m sorry for asking someone who is busy to come.”
“No. “What is going on?”
In response to Icheon’s question, Hyang went straight to the point.
“I would like you to prepare for the production of the double-barreled barrel type, of which only prototypes have been produced before.”
Li Cheon smiled slightly and responded to Hyang’s words.
“I have already prepared it. “Once you give the order, we can start production right away.”
“How do you know?”
“I heard that a messenger went to Daenae clan. “I expected that if our Joseon Dynasty were to send a messenger to the Japanese, an order for the production of ten types would be issued.”
In response to Lee Cheon’s answer, Hyang glanced at the four people waiting next to him and opened his mouth.
“As expected, thanks to the general, I am relieved.”
“It’s been decades since I served in the military. Anyone who has lived a long life should look at least two moves ahead.”
In response to Lee Cheon’s answer, Hyang glanced at the four people once again and received the words.
“Is it only generals like that? Everyone who wants a high position must have that mindset. Anyway, if we start production now, how many bags can we produce per month?”
“We can produce up to 100 tablets per month. “If we postpone the production of the Gapsikjangchonggae (revised) type, up to 300 guns are possible.”
“Wouldn’t there be a problem in producing the bomb-throwing balls requested by Daenae?”
“It’s okay because the organization in charge of production is a separate organization.”
After hearing Lee Cheon’s answer, Hyang immediately gave an order.
“Then, please produce it immediately.”
“yes. We will begin production immediately. ah! “You will need to send more people to Annam Mountain.”
“On Mt. Annam? “Is it because of the flint?”
“yes. The fire starter is very popular.”
Hyang immediately nodded at Lee Cheon’s answer.
“I would be happy to hear from the Ministry of Finance and Economy. yes. Let’s send someone. ah! “Please also provide a price list for the thermal type and two-ply type.”
“I already brought it.”
“also!”
Hyang, who was impressed by Lee Cheon’s foresight, openly glared at the four people. The four people flinched every time they received Hyang’s glare.
‘It stings, it stings!’
‘You’d better swear openly!’
* * *
After Icheon returned, Hyang handed over the documents to the four people.
“Based on this, set an appropriate sales price and report it.”
“Are you willing to sell it to Daenae for money?”
“Then should I give it to you for free? “Is our Joseon Dynasty that rich?”
“Ah…”
“And write an order to send to Mt. Annam and bring it with you.”
“yes.”
The four people who responded immediately left the office in a hurry.
Hyang, who was left alone in the office, muttered softly.
“The virtues I practiced in the 21st century are helpful again.”
* * *
The rifle named ‘armored barrel type’ was a downgraded version of the armored long gun. To be more precise, it was a deteriorated version of the Kentucky rifle, which became the prototype of the armored rifle. No, it was a flintlock musket, commonly called a lead-type or hand-fired rifle.
“Why did you create a president who has regressed like this?”
When we first presented the prototype prototype, everyone in charge expressed doubts. In response to those questions from those in charge, Hyang explained the reason.
“I have now sent Dong Chong to Ming. But isn’t the gun’s performance a bit different?”
Everyone in charge nodded at Hyang’s words. Hyang continued speaking.
“If it is a name, we will develop it with better performance based on that. What is worrisome is that the guns developed in this way will flow to countries other than the Ming. If there are countries that have guns that will harm our country, I plan to release this to those countries that will be helpful to us. “No matter how urgent it is, we can’t just give you our armored rifles, right?”
Everyone in charge nodded strongly at Hyang’s words. These were the people in charge who had participated in the development since it was called Gapsikjangchongtong. Since they knew the performance of Gap-sik long guns better than anyone else, they immediately recognized the purpose of the incense.
“It will be far inferior to a standard rifle, but it will have overwhelming performance compared to a copper gun or other types of rifles.”
Hyang nodded at Lee Cheon’s words.
“That is the purpose.”
Lee Cheon, who was looking at the design drawing while listening to Hyang’s words, opened his mouth.
“The percussion part has become a bit more complicated, but it’s not that complicated, and since the rifling on the barrel is gone, it will require less work.”
“That’s the purpose.”
‘This is a musket, not a rifle!’
However, Icheon pointed out problems in other areas.
“I think the problem is flint. “It is not easy to obtain hard flint in large quantities.”
Hyang immediately responded to Lee Cheon’s point.
“That part. There’s a rumor I heard when I was out hunting down the street. “It is said that good flint comes from Annam Mountain (now Gyeyang Mountain).”
“Is that so? Then I will send someone to see it.”
Icheon tilted his head for a moment at Hyang’s words, but soon convinced himself and accepted the words.
‘Because the Crown Prince’s eccentricities were famous!’
It’s quiet now, but when I was young, Hyang was famous for his frequent sneaking around.
Of course, most of the reason why they had to go undercover was because of Princess Jeongso’s hunger strike. Princess Jeongso went undercover to secretly find something to eat.
However, few subjects took issue with Hyang’s frequent sneaking around.
“Is there a problem with going out and doing everything you can?”
This was because King Sejong defended himself like this. After the purge of Ryu Jeong-hyeon’s group, there were no major subjects who could speak uprightly in front of the royal power, which had become extremely strong.
* * *
In any case, based on Hyang’s words, a large-scale exploration work began on Mt. Annam.
“There are indeed a lot of good quality gemstones!”
After receiving the report, Hyang immediately made a suggestion to King Sejong.
“It would be a good idea to process the gemstones and sell them at a reseller.”
“Flint from the monopoly?”
When King Sejong hesitated slightly, Kim Jeom, who was the head judge at the time, immediately jumped out.
“What a good idea! It takes a lot of effort from the people to manage the embers! But a good quality flint can save you a lot of effort!”
“is it? Then…”
Sejong, pushed by Kim Jeom’s momentum, immediately approved the decision.
And when high-quality flints were sold at the monopoly, favorable reviews from the people continued.
After hearing the story, Hyang muttered to herself.
‘It was helpful in many ways to search for materials on making a Kentucky rifle in the 21st century.’
* * *
In the 21st century, Hyang – Jinho at the time – who ran the blacksmith shop, made the Kentucky rifle under orders from Reinacter in the United States. After finishing making the rifle, Hyang looked slightly embarrassed.
“The flint is the problem?”
For the actual test, a suitable flint was needed.
“Can I find the brick and break it?”
While searching the Internet to find something useful as flint, Hyang learned about Gyeyangsan Mountain, which was famous for flint in the late Joseon Dynasty.
-There was a military officer named Jeong Doo-won from the Gwangju Jeong clan. Joseon, which suffered harshly during the Japanese invasions of Korea, began making and researching matchlock guns. Jeong Doo-won and his subordinates, who were devoted to the task, realized that wicks and flints to light a fire were as important as rifles, and searched for flint producing areas across the country. That’s how I found the best gemstones in Gyeyangsan Mountain.
Afterwards, merchants selling flint in the marketplaces of Joseon gave flint from Annam Mountain the best.
“It’s flint from Mt. Annam in Bupyeong! “Baromoe’s whetstone!”
The flints from Annamsan Mountain in Bupyeong and the whetstones from nearby Baromoe Hill (now Geomam-dong) were reputed to be the best flints and whetstones of Joseon. (Note 1) After
seeing the records on the Internet, Hyang seriously considered them.
“Would you like to visit Gyeyangsan Mountain?”
But his attempt failed. This was because it was completely broken by my cousin who came to visit not long after.
* * *
Once the stock of the barrel type gun to be sent to Ouchi had accumulated to a certain extent, the county sent someone to Ouchi.
-Send a messenger to discuss the purchase of long guns.
“Daenae’s messenger has arrived along with the messenger we sent.”
“Please stop by.”
“Yes sir.”
The envoy of Ouchi, who came with the eunuch, bowed politely.
“I would like to see you.”
“Thank you for coming. huh?”
After receiving the courtesy, Hyang’s eyes sparkled.
“Aren’t you dead?”
To the question about the scent, the lion bowed his head and answered.
“Thankfully, my lord showed me great mercy and I was able to survive my humble life.”
“is it? Be loyal to your lord.”
“ancient!”
Hyang, who had exchanged words of well-being that were not good words, got straight to the point.
“I accepted Ms. Daenae’s request and made a long gun for Ms. Daenae to use. “But this gun is a money-eating monster, so I can’t just hand it over.”
“How much will you pay for it?”
“If you do it right, you should receive 20 nyang of silver per bag, but since Daenae has a relationship with Joseon, I will only accept 12 nyang of silver per bag.”
“Sigh!”
The lion was surprised by the higher-than-expected price. Hyang continued speaking at that sight.
“Are there any soldiers among those accompanying you who are familiar with long guns?”
“Yes, there is.”
“Let’s take a look with him. “He would know the value.”
“yes? yes.”
* * *
After a while, incense and people appeared at the palace grounds built on one side of Gyeongbokgung Palace.
“This is the rifle I will give you.”
At the signal of incense, the Naegeumwi military officer who was waiting handed the messenger a thermal rifle.
The lion who received the long gun handed it to the samurai who followed.
The samurai’s eyes widened as he examined the gun handed to him by the messenger.
“ここれは!鉄砲です!”
“huh? Deppo?”
When a very familiar word came out, Hyang immediately looked at the lion. The messenger explained right away.
“The shogunate bastards call long guns iron guns. “It’s made of iron.”
“huh? Are there people in the shogunate who have the talent to make long guns out of iron?”
‘Well, the source is obvious.’
The lion immediately answered the question about the hidden scent.
“Do they have any talent like that? They say it was brought in from the Ming Dynasty.”
“I see… It’s my name…”
As Hyang looked slightly worried, the messenger continued speaking urgently.
“They say it was not sent by the Ming Dynasty, but was stolen by merchants!”
“is it? “The shogunate must have spent some money.”
The lion immediately realized what Hyang’s words meant.
‘That means there is no bargaining. ‘Is it a choice to buy it or not?’
“Whoa~.”
The lion let out a long sigh, as if in despair, and opened his mouth.
“I want to see the performance.”
“Of course I have to show it.”
* * *
Ten days later, the messenger returned to Ouchi and reported the situation to Mochiyo.
“… So we decided to pay 12 nyang of silver per bag. And first of all, I brought 100 long guns.”
“12 nyang in one bag! No matter how bad it is! “No, if it’s Deppo, shouldn’t it be cheaper!”
Mochiyo screamed.
As Mochiyo said, if you just look at the unit cost of the material, copper was more expensive than iron. And copper withstood the explosion of gunpowder better than poorly smelted iron.
The lion immediately responded to Mochiyo’s shout.
“How can God not know that? But isn’t it true that a long gun made of properly refined iron is superior to one made of copper?”
In response to the messenger’s answer, Mochiyo calmed down her anger and asked.
“Are you saying it’s that good?”
“It was made by Joseon and was confidently handed over by the Crown Prince of Joseon.”
“Hmm…”
In response to the lion’s response, Mochiyo stroked her chin and was lost in thought.
What the messenger said was true. Joseon was a country with technology far ahead of their own, and it was an item that the Crown Prince of Joseon confidently handed over.
After thinking for a moment, Mochiyo gave an order to one of his retainers.
“Go and call the katanashi.”
“hot!”
Mochiyo sent his retainer away and glared at the lion.
“I will look at the evaluation of the best swordsmith in our territory. “If you are clumsy, I will hold you responsible and don’t expect something as luxurious as seppuku.”
“hot!”
* * *
Note 1) Regional N culture and story materials.
https://ncms.nculture.org/traditional-stories/story/6431