Black Corporation: Joseon

Chapter 300

The battle with the pirates ended in complete victory for the Joseon Navy.

After the Maengjin tore through and passed, the Challenger and the Invincible took care of the cleanup.

During this cleanup process, the busiest ones were the marines in charge of the grapeshot cannons and the musketeers.

Disassembling the single-column formation and splitting into two, the Challenger and the Invincible wiped out the remaining 11 pirate ships.

In this process, the grapeshot cannons demonstrated their true value. Unlike the ship’s cannons, the grapeshot cannons, which could be reloaded quickly, cleaned the decks of the pirate ships that entered their range with the pirates’ blood.

The musketeers were the same. Looking down from the high parts of the deck’s stern and the crow’s nest, the musketeers sniped the resisting pirates one by one.

After the Challenger and the Invincible swept through, all that remained were 8 drifting pirate ships. On the decks of those drifting pirate ships, there were no living beings.

And in the surrounding sea, sharks were gathering, attracted by the scent of blood.

Having dealt with the pirate ships, the Challenger, the Invincible, and the Maengjin regrouped with Mansur’s fleet. To be precise, they reduced their speed by folding some of the sails they had unfurled and waited for Mansur’s fleet.

Seeing the drifting pirate ships and the dorsal fins of the sharks moving in all directions, Mansur and the sailors shuddered.

“How horrifying…”

“I’m scared to see it again…”

As the sailors muttered while rubbing their goosebump-covered arms, Mansur muttered with a serious expression.

“Should I just strip them bare and buy one?”

After contemplating, Mansur casually spoke to the captain.

“Hey, Captain. Joseon’s new ships are quite remarkable, aren’t they?”

“They are indeed remarkable.”

“Should we acquire one?”

“We’ll go bankrupt.”

“Huh?”

The captain calmly explained to Mansur.

“The ships are certainly good. As good as their enormous price. But you see, what’s the point of just buying the ship? We also need to purchase the cannons. When I observed them last time, compared to the size of the cannons mounted on those ships, the cannons loaded on our ships are like twigs.”

“We could buy fewer cannons…”

“What about the gunpowder and ammunition? And how will you handle the crew?”

“That’s…”

As Mansur mumbled and tried to evade the question, the captain continued.

“Even if we put everything else aside, the timber used to construct those ships is from Joseon. If the ship needs repairs, we’ll have no choice but to take it to Joseon.”

“Wouldn’t it be fine to use the trees from our homeland?”

“The problem is that not all trees are the same. To conclude, it is indeed worth the price. However, considering the maintenance aspect, it will lead to bankruptcy. To properly operate those ships, it would only be possible for a country like Joseon to manage them or a merchant group receiving support from the state.”

“Ugh, my stomach is churning again.”

Mansur’s stomach was churning once more.

***

The combined fleet of Joseon and Mansur continued their smooth voyage thereafter.

As they entered the Strait of Malacca, known for its pirates, the Joseon Navy became tense again, but there were no large-scale pirate raids like the one near Taiwan.

It was because the pirates, upon seeing the size of the challenger-class warships, wisely kept their distance.

Of course, there were pirates who, whether out of confidence or arrogance, attacked, but those who did so immediately disappeared into the sea.

The pirates hiding in various parts of the Strait of Malacca could all witness that scene. Seeing their competitors and comrades disappear into the sea like that, the pirates never dared to touch the combined fleet of Joseon and Mansur.

As a result, the combined fleet was able to safely arrive in Malacca.

***

As they approached the port of Malacca, the challenger-class warships began to furl their sails simultaneously. At the same time, they lowered small boats using pulleys.

Once the small boats were safely lowered, ropes were thrown from the mothership. The small boats, tied with the ropes, began pulling the ships in unison.

Thus, the challenger-class warships and Mansur’s fleet’s ships docked at the pier, and gangways were connected.

As the enormous ships of an unfamiliar design—covered entirely in gray from the sails to the hull—docked, people from the port flocked to observe.

The captains of the Challenger, the Invincible, and the Maengjin, neatly dressed in battle robes and battle hats, with their swords at their sides, descended the gangways. Following the captains, interpreters who could speak Chinese and officials from the Ministry of Finance descended the gangways.

Shortly after, when Mansur joined the group, a group of soldiers appeared, pushing through the crowd. As the soldiers raised their voices, the people who had flocked to the pier made way, and well-dressed men revealed themselves.

Seeing this, Oh Ha-seok gestured to the interpreter. Oh Ha-seok, who had previously visited this place while sailing with Mansur, had discovered that among those managing this port, there was a Chinese person. Therefore, an interpreter was brought along for this voyage.

While instructing to prepare the interpreter in this manner, Sejong could not hide his bitterness.

“According to the reports I’ve read, the merchants and people of the Ming have reached as far as Tianzhu. All this time, our Joseon has been living in such a small world.”

The interpreter, who stepped forward, announced their identity in fluent Chinese.

“We are on our way from Joseon to Tianzhu. We wish to stay briefly to replenish our food and water and take a rest.”

At the interpreter’s words, the Chinese official’s face brightened.

“Oh! Joseon! You must have had a long journey! As long as you don’t disturb the peace and conduct proper trade, you are welcome to stay as long as you like!”

“Thank you, sir.”

As permission was easily granted, Kang Nam-gil showed a surprised expression.

“I didn’t expect permission to be granted so easily. It’s unexpected.”

At Nam-gil’s words, Oh Ha-seok explained the reason.

“This port itself is a port for trade, so that’s why. I heard that the Muslim ruler called the Sultan, who governs this port and the surrounding area, accumulates wealth through trade.”

“Oh~.”

At Ha-seok’s explanation, Nam-gil lightly nodded his head.

“Anyway, since the situation has been resolved easily, let’s move quickly. Let’s start the replenishment in earnest from tomorrow, and in the meantime, let’s have our men take turns going ashore to get a whiff of the land.”

“More like the scent of alcohol. Speaking of which, I hope the interpreter properly made arrangements with the officials.”

“He said to follow the soldiers who will come shortly.”

“Then we should prepare some tonics.”

The captain of the Invincible gave an order to the lieutenant in a low voice.

Shortly after, the crew of the Invincible descended with small boxes.

Not long after, a group of soldiers reappeared. A new Chinese person who came with the soldiers spoke to the interpreter. The interpreter conveyed the Chinese person’s words to the captains.

“The place is ready, so please come with us.”

“Then, we’ll be in your care.”

***

Thanks to the medicine—genuine high-quality ginseng and deer antlers—delivered at the banquet held on the evening of the first day of entry, the replenishment that began the following day proceeded smoothly. In fact, the officials of Malacca had no choice but to show goodwill. The captains and officials from the Ministry of Finance had mentioned that there would be regular visits in the future, and moreover, upon hearing that tin was Malacca’s main export item, they showed deep interest. It was absolutely unacceptable to mistreat those who could potentially become major customers.

Chinese merchants at the port stepped forward to conduct the trade of rice and other vegetable varieties.

“Ask them if it’s okay to pay with Joseon’s silver banknotes.”

Upon hearing Oh Ha-seok’s words through the interpreter, the Chinese merchants laughed heartily and replied.

“They say it’s fine. In fact, they prefer banknotes.”

“That’s a relief. Then, since we’re buying so much, ask them to give us a discount.”

***

The marines, who had been busy with replenishment work during the day, waited for the sun to set. As the sun set, the marines whose turn it was to go out prepared to disembark from the ship with excitement.

The captains stepped forward in front of the marines who had completed the head count at the gangway.

“It’s fine to go out and take a break, but don’t overdo it. As you all know, there are many people curious about this ship. You know what I mean, right?”

“Yes, Captain!”

After the captain’s admonition, the physicians on board stepped forward.

“It’s fine to go out and drink, but keep a tight grip on your waist. There’s no medicine for venereal diseases.”

“Yes, Physician.”

With the physicians’ advice, the crew members disembarked from the ship and left the pier, but soon had puzzled expressions on their faces.

“Where should we go?”

“Right…”

“Should we ask the Muslim crew members who came with us?”

“Do you know the Muslim language?”

As they pondered how to escape the tricky situation, the crew members soon reached a conclusion.

“Damn it! Let’s trust our noses!”

“We have no choice…”

The crew members, who had been unable to touch alcohol for nearly a month, were that desperate.

***

The Joseon marines, who had flocked out in groups, indeed roamed the alleys of the port of Malacca in droves.

Seeing the Joseon marines who had flocked out, the residents of the port of Malacca observed them as if watching a curious spectacle, and the Joseon marines also observed the residents of Malacca with similar expressions.

“What kind of clothes are those… It’s like wrapping a single layer of a blanket around oneself.”

“Hmm, it’s indecent… The curves of the body are fully exposed.”

The Joseon marines experienced culture shock upon seeing the sarongs and kains worn by the Malays living in Malacca. The clothes made of thin fabric for ventilation fully revealed the lines of the body.

“Is that important right now?”

“Don’t you know what’s important?”

However, the Joseon marines immediately shifted their gazes. They were accustomed to the etiquette of not carelessly looking at other women, but the biggest reason was that they were too desperate for alcohol.

****

“Sniff! Sniff, sniff! Sniff! It’s the smell of alcohol!”

As they roamed the alleys, the marines soon caught the scent of alcohol and began moving in the direction of the smell.

The Joseon marines, who had found a tavern by following the scent, had a hollow expression on their faces.

“It’s right in front of us!”

“That damn smell of fermented fish…”

The Joseon marines, blaming the pungent smell of fish sauce, a traditional Southeast Asian condiment, flocked to the tavern.

The Joseon marines, who had flocked to the tavern, saw the signboard written in Chinese characters and nodded their heads.

“We found the right place!”

Although the signboard was scribbled and fancily written, they clearly recognized the Chinese character ‘酒’ (alcohol).

“Owner, alcohol!”

“Give us some alcohol!”

Seeing the Joseon marines who had flocked in and filled the first and second floors, the owner, who had been standing in a daze, soon came to his senses and kicked the waiter’s buttocks.

“What are you doing! Serve tea immediately!”

“Yes, yes!”

As the waiters served tea, the marines also regained some of their senses and began to converse.

“By the way, what should we use to pay?”

“We received our salary, didn’t we?”

“That’s Joseon money. Is this Joseon?”

“Ah…”

When the issue of money arose, the most senior soldiers stepped forward.

The senior soldiers walked up to the owner, took out their wallets, showed the silver banknotes, and used their fingers dipped in tea to write on the counter.

可 (Possible) 否 (No)

Seeing the characters written by the soldiers and the silver banknotes, the owner soon understood the meaning and nodded his head vigorously, writing with his finger as well.

可 (Possible)

Confirming the owner’s answer, the senior soldiers’ faces brightened, and they wrote again.

酒 (Alcohol) 多 (Plenty) 急 (Urgent)

Seeing the characters, the owner smiled brightly and nodded.

The senior soldiers who returned to their seats informed the other soldiers of the result.

“They accept silver banknotes.”

“Hurray!”

Shortly after, alcohol and snacks began to be served on the soldiers’ tables, and the soldiers cheerfully began to enjoy their drinks.

As the drinking session unfolded, the low-ranking officers with the rank of Jinmu and the senior soldiers became curious about something other than alcohol.

“I heard that our country’s silver banknotes are widely used, but I didn’t expect them to be accepted here as well.”

“Indeed, you’re right.”

Surprised by the wider-than-expected influence of Joseon’s banknotes, the Joseon marines simultaneously felt astonishment and pride.