Black Corporation: Joseon - Chapter 550
Episode 550: The night before the start of the war (3)
“Whew~.”
Hyang sighed as he checked the list of equipment requested by the military in preparation for an unexpected war, or a war that was considered almost certain.
“There will be an uproar at the Ministry of Finance and Economy.”
In order to supply the equipment required by the military, a large amount of additional budget had to be released. The problem was the Ministry of Finance and Economy. It was not easy to persuade the Ministry of Finance and Economy to regard ‘balanced finance’ as equivalent to Seong Hyeon’s teachings.
Of course, the Ministry of Finance and Economy is well aware of the urgency of the matter, but it was clear that they would try to cut as much as possible.
“Of course, it means that they are working properly, but the problem is that the party on the receiving end is going crazy…”
Hyang, who was checking the list while thinking about the war of words that would break out between Kim Jeom and the Minister of Finance and Economy, tapped a spot in the report with his finger.
“This is probably the problem right now. But I can’t back down.”
-The cartridges used in automatic rifles and freight cars are unified with copper alloy.
Incense was the most basic item to ignite the fighting spirit.
* * *
As breech-loading long rifles, Eul-sik rifles, and freight cars became popular, paper gun cartridges also changed to cartridge casings.
However, the shell casings currently used by the Joseon military were a type of hybrid. Like the hunting buckshot of the 21st century, only the base plate containing the detonator was made of copper, and the rest of the body was a bullet using a shell made of greased paper.
In the case of automatic rifles, in which cartridge ejection and loading are carried out by the power of a mechanical device attached to the gun rather than by human hands, and automatic rifles used in humid areas such as the sea, cartridges made of copper alloy were used up to the body. However, in the case of general infantry and cavalry, bullets using copper-paper mixed shells were supplied unconditionally.
This was due to economic problems.
Copper was precious in Joseon.
A copper mine was discovered on Daeseoldo Island, and copper mines were also discovered inside Joseon. However, both places were not profitable.
Additionally, as Joseon developed, the demand for copper, including tableware, continued to increase. Thanks to this, the search for copper mines is still ongoing.
Because of this situation, it was unreasonable to make even the bullet casings used by ordinary infantrymen out of copper.
However, the copper-paper mixed shell casing was quite tricky. Since it was made from materials such as metal and paper that were difficult to combine tightly with each other, a lot of care had to be taken in its production.
Production efficiency was also the same. The process of making the body of the bullet casing from greased paper still involved a lot of human effort.
There were attempts to make it using machines, but recycling problems arose in that defective products had to be used only as kindling.
Ultimately, the process of rolling paper to create the body of a shell casing had to be rolled by hand.
The paper casings made this way were also difficult to manage. Of course, there were no major problems when used in places like Jin and Bo where proper storage facilities were located.
The problem was when crossing the Yalu River for a counterattack. It was certain that it would quickly deteriorate in places without proper storage facilities.
Therefore, the county took this opportunity to devise a plan to unify, at least for the troops to be deployed in battle, bullets using copper casings.
* * *
“Originally, I was planning to replace it after about five years, but some damn bastards are making it a headache…”
Hyang continued to express his anger as he tapped the item in question with his finger.
* * *
Hyang had no intention of using the hybrid cartridge in question for a long time.
“Considering the current state of development, there will be no major financial problems even if it is completely destroyed in about five years.”
According to the plan made by the local government, after five years, instead of a hybrid shell, an integrated copper alloy shell would be produced.
This was achieved not only by simply changing the material of the cartridge, but also by replacing black powder with smokeless gunpowder and reducing the caliber of the bullet.
In order to reduce the trial and error that may have occurred in the process, experimentally made bullets and rifles matched to them were also being tested through the Chakho Musketeers Unit.
-The musketeer division must perform operations in harsh environments. The current ammunition is unsuitable for the purpose, so new ammunition and rifles are provided.
When King Sejong, who accepted Hyang’s proposal, made the approval, naturally, Kim Jeom expressed his opposition.
“I admit that there is a problem with bullets using oil-based cartridges. However, I think it is unnecessary to make new bullets when there are bullets that use copper casings.”
I responded to Kim Jeom’s point out of curiosity.
“The mission of the Chakho Musketeers is to ambush and snipe. The gunpowder used in current Eulsik Hwacha and Eulsik Long Rifles has the disadvantage that the smoke is so thick that the location is immediately revealed. So we will use Deok-Gap style gunpowder. In addition, the size of the bullet will be reduced to further increase its power. “It’s like a side story.”
Kim Jeom had no choice but to agree with Hyang’s explanation.
Thanks to Kim Jeom’s acceptance, new ammunition and rifles were provided to the Chakho Musketeers. In the case of the bullet, the length was similar, but the caliber was reduced by half – from half an inch (about 1.5 cm) to 25 percent (about 7.5 mm) – but its power was actually superior to the existing bullet. To put it simply, it showed similar power to the rifle bullets that were used until World War I.
In the case of the rifle, it was made by modifying the rolling block, which was a candidate for the Eulsik rifle.
Of course, as it was issued to the musketeers, it was equipped with a vernier-type aiming device suitable for long-distance sniping.
“If it’s sniping, it’s a telescope, but right now the telescope is zero…”
Hyang couldn’t hide his disappointment as he looked at the vernier-type aiming device.
However, despite such advancements, the image distortion was too severe for today’s telescopes to be used for sniping. Although it did a good job of seeing distant things in a larger size, it was difficult to achieve precise aiming. (Note 1)
Therefore, the vernier type aiming device was adopted as a precision aiming device. (Note 2)
The timetable for incense was as follows.
-Replace with new bullets and new rifles within 5 years.
-Within 10 years, the Eulsik Hwacha will be replaced with a heavy machine gun at the level of the Maxim machine gun.
-If this is done, Joseon will not fall behind in military power against the Ming Dynasty. Then, you will naturally break away from the four major worlds and pray for the title.
Hyang’s plan, which had lasted 10 years, was completely ruined by the war that broke out in Europe and the tricks of Emperor Seondeok.
* * *
With much preparation, Hyang met Kim Jeom and the Minister of Finance and Economy.
Kim Jeom-gwa, the Minister of Finance and Economy, who was carefully examining the purchase list provided by the county and township, let out a long sigh.
“Whoa~.”
“Haa~.”
Kim Jeom sighed as if the floor was sinking, licked his lips and opened his mouth.
“Tsk! “We will have to spend a considerable amount of money, but it cannot compare to the urgency of the situation, so we will prepare immediately.”
Hyang was pleased to see that he accepted it more readily than expected.
“Thank you so much! This allows us to prepare faithfully!”
“I just do what I have to do as a subject.”
Following the Minister of Finance and Economy’s words, Kim Jeom added.
“I’ll buy it back. On the contrary, if we consider this as an opportunity and do our best, our Joseon can break away from the shackles of the four major powers and become self-reliant, so how can you oppose it? “We must use this opportunity to become self-reliant.”
Kim Jeom’s words were full of the emotions that had formed over the years.
Hyang nodded slightly at Kim Jeom’s words and muttered to himself.
‘These gentlemen have made up a lot of things over the years.’
Since the time of the Yongle Emperor, the Ming Dynasty had exerted various pressures for the security of the country and to weaken Joseon’s capabilities.
Therefore, even among the elder ministers, there were very few who were favorable to the Ming.
In any case, the matter was settled in a warm atmosphere as Kim Jeom and the Minister of Finance and Economy immediately accepted the additional spending plan.
The officer who recorded all of this added the following:
-So the Left Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister of Finance and Economy, who accepted the budget presented by the Donggung Palace, announced that they would spend it immediately.
The officer says:
The current ugly atmosphere is due to the Yodong and Ming. This happened even though our Joseon Dynasty has never violated the etiquette of the four great powers and has done its best to protect the people. How can we say that this is not an outrageous thing? He said that in all things, it is necessary to return to the end of one’s life, and that it is a matter of cause and effect. They will have to pay the price they deserve.
Anyway, it’s a bit disappointing that the Minister of Finance and Economy and the Left Deputy Prime Minister passed away so easily.
This is not the case….
* * *
As the Ministry of Finance and Economy was handed over, Joseon’s response began to speed up.
“How are the preparations for calling up the reserve forces going?”
Jo Mal-saeng answered Hyang’s question right away.
“Regular training during the off-season farming season has already begun. Through this, military registers are being re-checked and organization work is in progress. “If a situation arises in the spring, an emergency order will be disseminated and deployment will be possible immediately.”
“Wouldn’t the supply, including weapons, be delayed?”
“We collaborated with the Ministry of Finance and Economy to recruit an appropriate top company and sign a contract.”
“Please remember not to miss the moment.”
Jo Mal-saeng bowed his head and responded to Hyang’s request.
“I will keep this in mind.”
After checking the troop mobilization issue, Hyang looked back at Hwang Hee.
“If something happens, there will be people spreading false rumors. And there will also be those who try to gain unfair advantage through cornering or other expedient methods. “We must find them and hold them accountable.”
Hwang Hee bowed her head at Hyang’s words.
“Yes, I plan to call the wineries of Pocheong and ask for advice on that as well. But…”
Hwang Hee paused for a moment and continued speaking carefully.
“What do you plan to do with the government workers assigned to the mine?”
“Gwangsan’s official…”
Hyang’s face hardened at Hwang Hee’s question.
The government officials mentioned by Hwang Hee were the families of those who had led the previous Giyu Rebellion. At that time, the leaders were all beheaded and their families became government slaves and were sentenced to hard labor in the mines.
If you had to choose the most miserable people in Joseon today, these were of course them.
Other government slaves and sanobi could dream of becoming Myeoncheon, and even if they did not become Myeoncheon, they were treated quite humanely.
But they were away from all that. Men had to work in the deepest part of the mine, and women were mobilized to carry the mined minerals.
What made their situation even worse was the severe discrimination. Even if they did the same work, miners and women received handsome wages, and even if they got into an accident, they could receive generous compensation. But they had nothing like that.
All they had to do was work until they died or until the king showed mercy.
And King Sejong had no intention of treating them leniently.
‘What should I do in this situation? ‘What is the right answer?’
By 21st century standards, an immediate amnesty would have been the right answer, but this was Joseon, an absolute monarchy. And pardoning them in this situation was a dangerous gamble.
‘I can’t help it. I’ll be criticized, but…’
“Whew~.”
Hyang heaved a long sigh and answered Hwang Hee.
“First, let’s strengthen the security of the mine where the officials are located.”
“yes.”
“If necessary, please prepare a plan to move them all to Daeseoldo’s mine.”
“I follow your orders.”
* * *
Note 1) You can think of the scene in the movie ‘The Patriot’ starring Mel Gibson where British military officers use telescopes.
Note 2)
In the picture above, this is an aiming device mounted on the neck of the gun.
* * *
Author’s note.
hello?
This is Gukppong, who serializes ‘Black Corporate Joseon’.
These days, series are often late. This part is due to me.
Since Sunday, I have had severe headaches and digestive problems, which has slowed down my work considerably.
I went to the hospital and was diagnosed with no abnormalities.
It seems like stress is the reason.
We apologize for the delay in publishing the series and will do our best to meet the deadline.