Black Corporation: Joseon - Chapter 59
Episode 59: New Weapons (7)
“Making a lightning bolt using the original method is too inefficient.”
The original Bigyeokjincheonroe used a sphere made of whole cast iron. By 21st century standards, this was a problematic method. Of course, making a hollow circular sphere was technically excellent, but in terms of production efficiency, it was not a method I would recommend.
“Looking at the performance, it’s obvious that ‘shut up and mass produce’ would be better, so we have to take action.”
The first move Hyang took was to split the Bigyeokjincheonrei’s sphere in two.
The design of the incense was changed and the hemisphere was divided into two, with a female screw on one side and a male screw on the other side. By aligning and turning the screws engraved on the two hemispheres, the two hemispheres were completed into one sphere.
Screws were also applied to the part where the time fuse enters and the hole where gunpowder is inserted. The time-limiting fuse was installed, a lid covering it and gunpowder were added, and a screw was carved into the cover that closed the hole to make it more secure.
Hyang began a firepower test using the prototypes created in this way.
“First, let’s try removing the firing process from the toy.”
“Yes sir.”
As a result of the test, the improved Bigyeokjincheonroe exploded brilliantly as expected.
“That’s amazing!”
“How about sending it to the north right away?”
Icheon and Choi Haesan couldn’t stop admiring the exam room that had turned into a mess. But Hyang smiled and shook his head.
“There’s still a lot to test. Let’s start with the launch test.”
“Fire… I see. I forgot the word ‘firing’.”
In the subsequent launch test, the Bigyeokjincheonroe was launched safely. After checking the results, Hyang moved on to the next task.
“Now, let’s report to His Majesty and make the arrangement…”
“Okay! Then, shall we reduce the thickness of the shell? First, let’s reduce it by 1.5 mm.”
Following the instructions of the village, craftsmen created prototypes that reduced the thickness of the shell in increments of 5 ri, starting from 40 ri (40 1/4 of 1 chi, about 1.2 cm). It was literally a process of embedding it into the body through trial and error.
“As you said, when fired from a toy filled with twice as much gunpowder, the thinnest toy that survived from launch to landing was one with 30% (approximately 9mm) shaved off.”
“Then, shall we experiment by marinating gunpowder this time?”
“Yes, sir.”
In the subsequent test, the Bigyeokjincheonroe, which shaved 30% off, withstood the impact of launch and landing and exploded properly. After seeing the results, Choi Haesan and Lee Cheon became greedy again.
“The results are good, so let’s report…”
“The explosion radius is too wide. There is a risk of damage to our allies. Let’s research ways to reduce the explosion radius and increase killing power.”
“Your command is correct. I will think about it.”
After hearing Hyang’s order, Choi Haesan Icheon and the military craftsmen began to search for various numbers to find the optimal number. However, it was difficult to find a plan that simultaneously satisfied the contradictory conditions of ‘strengthening lethality’ and ‘reducing the radius of danger’.
In the end, the scent had to come out again.
“Please bring clay, paper, and an eight-sized pill. The pill should be made of cast iron.”
‘… Yes, sir.”
When the craftsmen brought the materials, Hyang gave orders to the craftsmen.
“Apply a half-thick layer of mud on the inside of the shell of the Bigyeokjincheonroe and then insert the Joranhwan. And when the clay dries, apply paper and secure it tightly so that it does not fall off.”
The military officers and craftsmen who heard Hyang’s order immediately let out exclamations.
“Ah! Such a number! ”
In the subsequent test, the improved Bigyeokjincheonroe had a reduced danger radius compared to the first one, but its killing power was further strengthened. Hyang, who was examining the results, looked back at Choi Haesan and Icheon.
“Let’s improve it a little more. Just a little more…”
“Yes, sir.”
In the second improvement, the craftsmen of the Hyang Department engraved gold like a checkerboard on the inside of the shell of Bigyeokjincheonroe. Then, they laid one more layer of Joranhwan.
In the test that followed after completing the second improvement, After seeing the results, Hyang ordered Choi Haesan and Lee Cheon,
“I think this is enough. If we go any further, future generations will think of us as bloodthirsty and ruthless people.”
“That’s right! ”
Choi Hae-san and Lee Cheon nodded vigorously at Hyang’s words. The scenery created by the recently improved Bigyeokjincheonroe was nothing short of a murderous sight.
“Then, now let’s report…”
“Now, let’s find a cannon to fire this bomb. Let’s improve it.”
“Yeah? ”
Choi Haesan and Icheon were in tears at Hyang’s words.
Hyang observed the large gun that would fire the Bigyeokjincheonroe.
“The amount of gunpowder that goes into the chamber is 35 nyang (about 1.3 kg)… The problem is It’s not an efficient form.”
What Hyang pointed out was the overall design of the toy.
“Let’s change the structure! ”
Hyang designed the cannon that would fire the Bigyeokjin Cheonroe in a traditional straight shape. He also made a carriage similar in shape to the carriage used by Western-style cannons in the 18th and 19th centuries.
“Is it too Western-style? “I don’t think that’s it.”
Hyang tilted his head when he saw what he had drawn. To be precise, the design Hyang created was close to the heavy infantry artillery made by Joseon during the Daewongun era.
Hyang hung up a map depicting the artillery and artillery he thought of. We discussed with Haesan Choi and Icheon craftsmen:
“Put it on a cart with large wheels. Mobility will improve.”
“Wouldn’t it be much easier to deal with the Jurchen tribe in the north if the mobility of the artillery improves? ”
Choi Hae-san and Lee Cheon nodded at Hyang’s words. Because they had sufficient combat experience in the South and North, the two were able to immediately understand the benefits that Hyang spoke of.
Icheon, who had seen the pleasure, came to a conclusion.
“Po. We make loaded carts and carts containing fire bombs and gunpowder… If Bigyeokjincheonroe can accompany even two guns, the Jurchen people will not even dare to do anything reckless.” Choi
Hae, who can be said to be the best expert in the Joseon military when it comes to artillery. When San and Icheon agreed, the development of artillery and guns proceeded quickly. What differentiates the newly developed artillery from existing artillery is that not only the exterior of the artillery but also the back of the internal chamber is round.
“General Choi used to have a gun .
Do you remember when you first tested it? ”
“Yes.”
“If you look at the soot made on the copper plate at that time, it spread out radially. I think this means that when the gunpowder explodes, the energy spreads out like that.”
Choi Hae-san, who was thinking deeply about Hyang’s words, nodded.
“I think so.”
“If you dig the back of the chamber in a round shape like this, the gun will be stronger. Wouldn’t you support it? It will be the same thickness no matter what angle it is viewed from.”
Choi Hae-san, who was studying the drawing closely, nodded.
“It looks like it’s worth a try.”
Afterwards, when the first canvas was made, Hyang and Choi Hae-san immediately started testing.
Twice the amount of gunpowder was put into the chamber of the existing large gun and the new gun, tightly blocked with a block of wood, and then a heavy stone was put in. The
new gun did not cause any problems in about four consecutive shots, but the large gun did not cause any problems in the chamber. A crack appeared in the lower corner.
After checking the results, Choi Hae-san opened the tablet and wrote:
“As a result of the test, it was confirmed that making the rear of the gun and chamber into a curved surface strengthens durability. It would be right to improve other artillery pieces or design new artillery pieces of a similar type.”
* * *
“… Therefore, everything about this Bigyeokjincheonroe, from the artillery bullets to the design of the artillery pieces, went through the hands of the crown prince. ”
After hearing Choi Hae-san’s explanation, King Sejong and the ministers looked at Hyang once again.
“A guy like you… now it makes me tired to even say that I am surprised.”
All the ministers nodded at Sejong’s words. Continued The ministers were exhausted as they looked at the amazing objects. In fact, the ministers and Ho Jopanseo were calculating the budget for mass producing them in advance, and the sky was turning blue.
“I want to see that newly made artillery.”
“I accept your orders. ”
After a while, two carriages came into the demonstration hall. Each carriage was pulled by two horses.
“The first carriage is pulling a carriage with artillery, and the second carriage is carrying bigyeokjincheonroe and gunpowder to be used for artillery. .”
“Hmm….”
While listening to Choi Haesan’s explanation, King Sejong looked at the carts. The cart connected to the gun carriage was loaded with two wooden boxes.
“The boxes contained ammunition and explosives that would be used immediately after discharging the artillery. It’s coming.”
The soldiers opened the lids of the boxes on the cart. Small pouches caught Sejong’s eyes as he inspected the boxes.
“What are these pouches? ”
In response to King Sejong’s question, Choi Haesan opened his pocket and took out the contents inside.
“A monk to set the time until the explosion, a mokgok to watch the monk, 1 nyang of Gap-sik gunpowder to ignite the Eul-sik gunpowder, and a Ji-tong to plant in Bigyeokjincheonroe with all of that. Here comes the paper container.”
Sejong nodded at Choi Haesan’s explanation.
“I see. Since silver-type gunpowder does not catch fire with a wick, it is necessary to start a fire with a type-type gunpowder. But pain? ”
“At first we used bamboo, but there was a problem with uniformity, so we made the container out of paper.”
“I see. It’s a good idea.”
“It was the Crown Prince’s opinion.”
When Choi Haesan gave credit to Hyang, King Sejong looked back at Hyang.
“I can see your hard work.”
“General Choi, General Lee, and other military officers. It is a tribute to the craftsmen.”
It was an incense that gave credit to the soldiers and craftsmen.
King Sejong’s eyes, as he was looking at the artillery, stopped at the back of the artillery. The part that caught King Sejong’s attention was the part connected to the pedestal of the artillery. There were screws there. A pillar with an engraving was erected, and next to the gear wheels connected here and there was a handle similar to a wheel, and next to it was a semi-circular disk with the Chinese characters ‘Won (違), Geun (近), Chogeun (超近)’ written on it. “Crown ,
what is this for? ”
“Yes, the range is controlled by adjusting the angle of the gun.”
“Adjusting the range? ”
“yes. This is how you do it.” As
Hyang twirled a handle similar to a reel, the gun barrel moved up and down. King Sejong, who was watching it, turned his head.
“You control the distance by adjusting the angle of the gun like this? ”
Choi Haesan, who was next to King Sejong’s question, immediately answered,
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“How? ”
“It’s the same principle as shooting a bow. When you hit a distant target with a bow, don’t you raise the bow upward and shoot in a curved line? ”
“aha! ”
Sejong nodded and exclaimed in exclamation at Choi Hae-san’s explanation. Choi Hae-san pointed to a semicircular rangefinder and explained,
“If you adjust the angle of the gun to this scale, you can adjust the distance from 300 to 500 steps. ”
Sejong, who had been closely examining the scale at Choi Hae-san’s explanation, looked back at Choi Hae-san and Lee Cheon.
“It must have taken a lot of effort to figure out this scale.”
“That’s right.”
Choi Hae-san and Lee Cheon nodded at Sejong’s words. It was
discovered by chance – it was an accident mixed with the intention of incense – but in order to accurately measure the fact, Choi Haesan and Icheon craftsmen fired hundreds of bigyeokjincheonroe. To reduce
unnecessary gunpowder consumption, the inside was filled with dirt and gravel. The Jincheonroe flew through the air without stopping, and in the end, the broken Bigyeok Jincheonroe had to be made anew by nearly a hundred due to metal fatigue. That was not all.
Many of the cows raised on farms near Area 51 died because they could not overcome the stress caused by heavy drinking. A considerable amount of wealth had to be paid for the price. And the meat from the dead cow was put on the table of artisans and soldiers.
“If the distance can be adjusted like this, it will have a better effect in battle. Is it possible to apply it to other artillery pieces as well?”
Hyang answered King Sejong’s question.
“The institute’s officials are currently conducting research.”
“But?”
After hearing the answer, King Sejong looked for Jeongcho among his subjects.
“Vice-Director Jeong believes in the Lord.”
Jeongcho bowed his head and responded to Sejong’s words.
“I honor your command.”
Jeongcho’s voice as he answered was full of moisture.
‘I still can’t go into the house…’
As the same order had already been issued, the institute’s officials were waging a ‘war with numbers’, clutching books recording the results of the bombardment.
The head’s order was to research the changing distances in various and unusual situations, create a table, formalize it, and create a distance control system for each gun.
As a result, the institute’s officials could only go home on designated holidays – 9 days on and 1 day off. Fortunately, Hyang followed this rule like a sword.
However, there were also periods when officials voluntarily worked overtime. That period was the period of floating ‘meju’.
* * *
Joseon consumed so much soybean paste and soy sauce that it was called the ‘land of soybean paste.’ As consumption was high, every house was filled with jars of soybean paste, and even the residential areas of Hanseong were filled with the smell of soybean paste. As such, the smell of soy sauce was familiar to Joseon people. However, even for those Koreans, the smell coming from floating meju was a hardship.
In particular, the larger the family, the more likely it was to have a large amount of meju, so the smell of meju was more severe in the homes of high-ranking officials with many slaves and guests.
The palace also floated a large amount of meju, but because the palace was extremely spacious, the smell of meju was not that strong. For that reason, the officials postponed the retreat as long as possible when it was time to float meju.
* * *
In any case, thanks to the orders of King Sejong and Hyang, Joseon became the first country in the world to create and apply Sapyo (射表) for use in artillery.
King Sejong set up a silver waist that inspected all the artillery and auxiliary equipment that fired bigyeokjincheonroe.
“Hmm, I think I’ve seen everything, but there’s one last thing to check before checking the ledger. The armor worn by the military officers and soldiers here is different from what I’m used to, so please explain.”
“I have prepared it. I will guide you.”