Black Corporation: Joseon

Chapter 273

“Your Majesty! We have great news!”

“Has word finally arrived?”

Sejong, who had been reviewing reports sent from Hanseong, asked in delight at Choi Yoon-deokk’s exclamation.

“Yes, Your Majesty! News has arrived! It is a great victory!”

Choi Yoon-deokk handed the report sent by Yi Sun-mong to the attendant. Sejong received the scroll from the attendant and unrolled it to read the contents.

As Sejong read through the report, his expression grew brighter and brighter.

Having finished reading the entire report, Sejong leaned back and exhaled deeply.

“Whew~. We have finally alleviated the greatest concern in the north!”

“Indeed, Your Majesty!”

“They are in the courtyard.”

At Choi Yoon-deokk’s words, Sejong rose from his seat and went outside.

In the inner courtyard of the Hamheung Temporary Palace, long wooden boards were laid out in a row on the ground, and dozens of severed heads were placed on top of them.

“These are the heads of the Mentemu clan, and these are the heads of the Manchu clan.”

“Mentemu’s face is quite a mess?”

“We found him dead on the battlefield.”

“Is that so?”

As Sejong examined the severed heads while listening to Choi Yoon-deokk’s explanation, he noticed something peculiar.

Many of the heads belonging to the Mentemu and other Odoli tribes were badly damaged, but the heads of the Manchu clan had fewer such injuries. In particular, Manchu’s head was in pristine condition.

‘Compared to Manchu, Mentemu’s forces were said to be extremely few…’

Recalling the contents of the reports that had arrived before and after the war, Sejong muttered softly.

“They were driven to the front lines as arrow fodder, given their lesser stake…”

“Pardon?”

When Choi Yoon-deokk expressed confusion at Sejong’s mumbling, Sejong pointed to the heads of the Mentemu clan.

“Seeing how badly their heads are damaged, it seems most of them were in the thick of the battle.”

“According to the report, that is correct, Your Majesty.”

“Hmm…”

Silently observing the severed heads, Sejong turned around.

“We have another reason for Joseon to grow stronger.”

“Pardon?”

“If our nation’s power is weak, we will become prey to stronger countries. If we are mediocre, we will become arrow fodder like Mentemu. Don’t you agree?”

“That is indeed the case.”

While immediately nodding in agreement with Sejong’s words, Choi Yoon-deokk felt slightly worried.

What the King had just said was the righteous path. However, even the righteous path had its limits. If all the nation’s power was poured into defense, it would no longer be the righteous path but a tyrannical one, leading to despotic rule.

As they returned to the main hall of the temporary palace, Sejong continued.

“Even if we do not need the power to coerce others, we must ensure that others cannot recklessly coerce us. Don’t you think so?”

“Your words are wise, Your Majesty!”

Choi Yoon-deokk replied loudly, feeling relieved.

“How are the preparations for the soldiers’ victory parade coming along?”

“Yes. We are preparing step by step.”

“Please ensure that everything is taken care of.”

This was the first battle where Joseon had fully exerted its military might since the conquest of Tsushima. Unlike the lukewarm conclusion of the Tsushima conquest, this campaign ended in a great victory.

Sejong intended to widely publicize this to boost the morale of the people and simultaneously warn the neighboring Jurchen tribes not to act recklessly.

“Your Majesty, here are the expenditure reports. And this is the budget for the welfare policy for those who died or were injured in this campaign and their families. Lastly, this is the war expenditure confirmed up to today.”

Receiving the reports handed over by a young official from the General Staff Office, Sejong reviewed the numbers with a serious expression.

“Are these numbers accurate?”

Sejong’s voice trembled slightly as he questioned the official. The official replied with a somewhat troubled look.

“These numbers have undergone at least three rounds of verification.”

Confirming the numbers, Sejong let out a long sigh.

“Whew~. There will be an uproar in Hanseong. The Crown Prince will have a hard time.”

Thinking of Hyang, who must be struggling in Hanseong, Sejong looked south with a gloomy face.

“Have I entrusted him with too heavy a burden?”

***

As Sejong worried, Hyang was engaged in fierce debates in Hanseong.

However, his opponent in these debates was always the same person.

Kim Jeom, the Minister of Finance.

As the war expenditure soared during the campaign, Hyang and Kim Jeom continued to argue, and watching their debates became a daily routine for the other ministers.

***

“The war expenditure is substantial.”

At Minister of Finance Kim Jeom’s words, Hyang replied with a helpless expression.

“War is a great matter, so it cannot be helped.”

Kim Jeom let out a long sigh at Hyang’s response.

“Whew~. Still, the war expenditure has exceeded our expectations. Especially the cost of gunpowder weapons.”

“Gunpowder is indeed quite expensive.”

As he answered, Hyang felt a bitter taste in his mouth.

****

As the focus of combat shifted from spears and swords to firearms, the consumption of gunpowder had greatly increased.

However, gunpowder was by no means a cheap commodity.

Gunpowder required large quantities of sulfur and saltpeter, which were difficult to obtain in Joseon.

To address this, Sejong and the court had to do their utmost.

In the case of sulfur, a few mines were discovered in Joseon, but their profitability was extremely poor. Therefore, only the two relatively more profitable mines were operated, and the rest had to be imported from Japan. Fortunately, the newly arrived Japanese merchants at the Waegwan were cooperative, ensuring a steady supply, but it was still an expensive commodity.

As for saltpeter, it was being supplied by operating pastures and niter beds throughout Joseon, but there was still a shortage.

The saltpeter issue was particularly serious because it was an essential component not only in the existing black powder called Gap-sik gunpowder but also in the improved brown powder called Eul-sik gunpowder, nitroglycerine (called as Pokyoo), mercury fulminate (called as Pokeun), and Deok Gap-sik gunpowder. In short, anything with the character “explosive” (爆) in its name contained saltpeter or nitric acid made from saltpeter.

Therefore, Hyang planned to send Haeung-ship to India as soon as he fulfilled his quota. There were rumors of saltpeter deposits in neighboring Ming, but like in the case of horn bows—the export of cow horns was prohibited—Ming did not like the idea of Joseon strengthening its military power.

As for sulfur, Hyang had Hokkaido in mind.

“Wasn’t there a famous sulfur hot spring in Hokkaido?”

While pondering the supply of sulfur, Hyang looked at Baekdu Mountain marked on the map.

“That place is also a volcano… There must be sulfur there…”

***

Kim Jeom continued to pressure Hyang over the war expenditure.

“Looking at this campaign, the amount of gunpowder consumed during the mere 20-day period is immense. We have exhausted the gunpowder ingredients accumulated over the past two years! Two years’ worth of supplies!”

“…”

Hyang and the ministers could not say anything in response to Kim Jeom’s words.

In the first year of Sejong’s reign, the Military Equipment Office submitted a memorial to Sejong.

-The current amount of saltpeter in the military arsenal is 3,316 geun (approx. 2,100 kg), but the annual consumption of saltpeter is 4,000 geun (approx. 2,400 kg). Additional production is necessary.

As the military reforms progressed, gunpowder production continued to increase, but Joseon still did not have sufficient gunpowder reserves.

***

“So, what does Your Excellency suggest we do?”

In response to Hyang’s question, Kim Jeom immediately replied.

“I believe it would be best to reduce the live-fire training conducted by the military.”

“That is not possible.”

“Your Highness!”

When Hyang immediately rejected the idea, Kim Jeom raised his voice.

However, Hyang did not back down from his decision.

“Your Excellency, have you forgotten the disgraceful behavior of the soldiers when the Gapsik Jangchong muskets were first mass-produced and distributed?”

“That is…”

Kim Jeom’s face turned troubled at Hyang’s question.

(TL/N: Note that I’m retaining the weapons original names here as mentioned in few chapters back)

***

Through the demonstration held in Area 51, the adoption of the Gapsik Jangchong muskets was decided, and the mass-produced muskets were supplied to the Royal Guard, the Five Military Commands, and the Gyeonggi Provincial Army.

During the first training session conducted by the Royal Guard using the newly supplied Gapsik Jangchong muskets, even the Royal Guard soldiers, considered the elite of Joseon, were startled by the loud blast of the muskets they fired and showed signs of panic.

***

Hyang continued to explain the reasons for his refusal.

“Soldiers handling muskets and artillery must become accustomed to the loud noise produced by their weapons to fight properly in actual combat. The same goes for the war horses they will ride. And hasn’t the effectiveness of this been proven in the recent campaign?”

“I acknowledge that, but I am merely suggesting that we reduce the number slightly.”

Hyang immediately clicked his tongue at Kim Jeom’s words.

“Tsk!”

As soon as Hyang clicked his tongue, Kim Jeom flinched.

‘Ugh! That sound of his tongue clicking!’

With a disdainful look, Hyang glared at Kim Jeom.

“You want to reduce the training where soldiers fire a mere 10 rounds each, only once a month? Do you think we can achieve the same military accomplishments as this time with such training?”

“If there is will, then…”

“If will alone can win battles, we might as well send soldiers with just a stick instead of spears and swords. Or perhaps Your Excellency alone can defeat an army of 100,000?”

“…”

Kim Jeom’s mouth immediately shut at Hyang’s sarcasm. Although Kim Jeom’s face turned bright red, he had nothing to say.

‘Ugh! If he were my grandson, I would’ve hit his legs with a stick…’

Grinding his teeth inwardly, Kim Jeom proposed another solution.

“I understand about the muskets and artillery. However, the fire arrow rocket must be definitely retired!”

“Hasn’t it achieved results?”

“The gunpowder consumption is too high compared to its effectiveness!”

This time, it was Hyang who fell silent.

As Kim Jeom pointed out, the amount of gunpowder consumed by the fire arrow rocket was enormous. Although it had achieved some results, they paled in comparison to the amount of gunpowder used.

Kim Jeom highlighted the problems of the fire arrow rocket by comparing it to the Divine Thunder Strike cannons.

“The Divine Thunder Strike cannons also consumes a large amount of gunpowder, but its effectiveness is incomparable to the fire arrow rocket! Therefore, the fire arrow rocket must be retired!”

In the end, Hyang waved the white flag.

“It seems there are aspects to consider regarding that matter, so let’s review it.”

***

After handling a few more agenda items, a short break followed.

The other ministers expressed their curiosity at the sight of Kim Jeom leaving the Crown Prince’s residence while humming a light tune.

“Minister Kim, did something good happen to you?”

“Ah! I feel great after achieving my desired goal.”

“Desired goal?”

At Kim Jeom’s words, the ministers tried to recall, but there was nothing significant apart from the part where he was verbally defeated by Hyang.

After pondering for a moment, Maeng Sa-seong looked at Kim Jeom with surprised eyes.

“Could it be about the fire arrow rocket?”

“There is a saying, ‘Killing two birds with one stone.’ Hahaha!”

Laughing heartily, Kim Jeom walked away with a swagger.

Meanwhile, in the Crown Prince’s residence, Hyang scratched his head and muttered.

“I feel like I’ve been had…”

Kim Jeom, who had enjoyed a pleasant afternoon, grabbed the back of his neck upon reading the report from Hamheung.

“A victory parade? A victory parade, you say!”

***

“It may seem like excessive spending now, but let’s think about the future.”

As Hyang spoke, looking at Kim Jeom who seemed ready to rush to Hamheung at any moment, Kim Jeom shouted.

“Your Highness! The future, you say! If such victory parades become customary, it will be a problem!”

Maeng Sa-seong chimed in at Kim Jeom’s words.

“If wars become frequent enough for victory parades to become customary, wouldn’t that also be a problem?”

“That’s right.”

Following Maeng Sa-seong, Heo Jo spoke.

“According to the report, His Majesty has summoned all the chiefs of the nearby Jurchen tribes to this victory parade. If we show them the might of our Joseon army, would they dare to cause trouble in the future? This is the future that Your Highness speaks of.”

“You have keen insight.”

Responding to Heo Jo’s words, Hyang provided additional explanation.

“Through the victory parade, the Jurchen tribes will clearly witness the strength of our Joseon army with their own eyes. Then, they will engage in trade instead of plundering and may even submit to us. Wouldn’t that save us more money than conducting campaigns every time?”

At Hyang’s words, Kim Jeom let out a long sigh.

“Whew~. I understand.”

Retreating, Kim Jeom inwardly ground his teeth.

‘If they don’t bring back the spoils of war properly, I’ll have them all killed!’