Black Corporation: Joseon

With support from everyone from the king to the nobles and ministers, things began progressing rapidly.

First, the royal army’s size expanded significantly. Unlike before, when they mainly hired mercenaries in bulk, this time it was the regular army that expanded.

The biggest factor enabling this was Pedro’s purge of the nobles.

Starting with the Duke of Braganza, the purge of the kingdom’s prominent nobles resulted in all their territories, from mainland Portugal to African colonial holdings, becoming royal property. This newfound massive source of income enabled them to maintain a large standing army.

Furthermore, with most of the purged nobles’ private soldiers being absorbed into the regular army, both quantity and quality improved significantly.

During this growth period, new firearms began arriving from Joseon and Italy.

“Though they’re both flintlock rifles, the difference is substantial.”

Pedro couldn’t hide his disappointment as he examined the Joseon and Italian models side by side.

The captain of Pedro’s guard standing beside him explained the issues.

“The Italian-made ones are larger and heavier than the Joseon models.”

“What about range?”

“Superior to existing models but still falls short of the Joseon ones.”

“Hmm…”

Pedro couldn’t hide his regret as he examined the Italian firearm while letting out a small groan.

“Rather mediocre… What about the price?”

“For the price of one Joseon rifle, we can buy three of these.”

At the guard captain’s report, Pedro turned to Cosimo standing beside him.

“Is it impossible to improve them further?”

“Not in the short term. This is already our best effort.”

Cosimo was being sincere.

Of the 200 rifles received from Pedro, they had set aside 20 for reverse engineering attempts. However, these attempts failed due to the vicious black box measures Hyang had implemented.

“What can be done…”

While they were struggling with continued failures, one craftsman brought a change in perspective.

“Hey fellows, what about this?”

“What do you mean?”

“Though we couldn’t figure out the exact internal structure, haven’t we learned how it moves to ignite? Then why don’t we design our own mechanism?”

“Huh?”

“While making an exact copy is impossible, couldn’t we create something that performs the same actions with just a bit more research?”

“Wait… wait…”

The craftsmen began pondering deeply upon hearing this suggestion. After intense contemplation, they soon nodded.

“Indeed, that could work.”

“That seems like the best approach.”

“Let’s give it a try!”

The craftsmen agreed with the new proposal and immediately dove into research. Before long, they managed to produce credible results.

They were able to achieve results so quickly thanks to their accumulated experience in manufacturing arquebuses and muskets.

***

Until Hyang’s intervention, Ming and Joseon’s personal gunpowder weapons were fired either by having someone else apply fire to an inserted fuse, or by firmly fixing the gun against the right flank and bringing a burning fuse to the touch hole with the left hand.

Europe initially used similar methods, but over time began incorporating crossbow triggers.

As time passed, they developed muskets and arquebuses combining springs, levers, and triggers.

This accumulated experience produced results different from Ming’s.

While Ming eventually adopted European matchlock firing mechanisms via India and Central Asia after repeated failures, Europe independently evolved toward a flintlock system like Joseon’s.

***

The Italian flintlock rifles—later called Florence Guns or Medici Guns—created using this experience were superior to existing arquebuses and muskets, but still inferior to Joseon models in many ways.

Without technology to produce and process steel as excellent as Joseon’s, Florence’s craftsmen had no choice but to make larger and thicker components.

Furthermore, for the crucial barrel, they used the rolled iron plate method that Hyang had initially employed.

These factors combined made the Florence-made flintlock rifles much heavier than Joseon models. Consequently, the Italian flintlock rifles needed to be operated with monopods like existing muskets.

However, thanks to the barrels carefully refined by Florence craftsmen inspired by Joseon flintlock rifles, they achieved better range and accuracy than existing muskets or arquebuses.

***

After hearing Cosimo’s explanation, Pedro stroked his chin in thought. After long deliberation, he finally reached a conclusion.

“We’ll need to place additional orders with Joseon.”

At those words, Cosimo asked with a serious expression.

“Does that mean you won’t use the Florence-made rifles? Won’t that cause issues with cost and time?”

Pedro shook his head at Cosimo’s question.

“That’s not it. Your rifles are excellent too. However, their weight is problematic. With that weight, they’re suitable for defense but difficult for rapid movement. For troops that need to move quickly while delivering strikes, Joseon rifles would be better.”

Pedro had participated in various armed conflicts, including the Reconquista. Through that experience, he well understood the necessity of units combining mobility and firepower, leading to his decision to supply two types of rifles based on mission requirements.

And Pedro’s experience led him to order something else from Cosimo.

“And how are those cannons we discussed coming along?”

“Production has already begun, and we should receive prototypes soon. However…”

Cosimo paused briefly before continuing with a voice full of concern.

“But would such small cannons really be useful?”

Genuine worry filled Cosimo’s face as he asked the question.

Pedro answered Cosimo’s question briefly.

“I hear Joseon cannons aren’t that large.”

***

During this period, European and Middle Eastern cannons were literally “great guns.”

Cannons of this era served as siege weapons for destroying walls. Consequently, they were enormous. A recently made English cannon boasted a 20-inch caliber.

Naturally, such large and heavy cannons had limited utility and diminished value as military assets. Except for siege warfare—and even in actual siege battles—their effectiveness was often minimal.

The most striking example was the Battle of Aljubarrota in 1385, where Spain possessed sixteen large trebuchets, yet Portugal won without a single cannon. (Note 1)

Despite such examples, European and Middle Eastern nations preferred large cannons. This inevitably brought budget constraints, and even with large-scale artillery operations, they only had several dozen pieces at most.

However, after reading reports about Challenger-class warships observed at Suez through trade with Joseon and about Joseon artillery units encountered in Joseon proper, Pedro clapped his hands in admiration.

“This is it! We don’t need to insist on huge cannons! Enter battle with numerous small but mobile cannons! This is the answer!”

And so Pedro came to order light artillery from Cosimo that could move quickly when mounted on carts.

This was fifty years earlier than the French army of Charles VIII that invaded Italy in 1494 in the history before Hyang’s intervention. (Note 2)

***

While methodically preparing for war, the biggest concern for Pedro and Portugal was their archenemy Spain.

Unless they could tie down Spain—or more precisely, the United Kingdoms of Castile-Aragon—Portugal couldn’t properly conduct the war. If things went wrong, they might have to make major concessions to the Ottomans in the subsequent division of spoils, or face the worst outcome of maintaining the current situation while only suffering losses.

Returning to his office, Pedro pointed this out to Cosimo.

“Have you found a way to tie down Spain?”

Cosimo immediately answered Pedro’s question.

“France will move.”

“France?”

Hearing Cosimo’s answer, Pedro soon nodded.

“That’s fortunate.”

France was a military power. Though the war with England wasn’t fully concluded, its end was virtually certain. Therefore, France could utilize its powerful military might.

Moreover, they had multiple ongoing territorial disputes with Spain in their border regions, and both sides were still growling at each other.

“Though they haven’t given us an exact date for starting the war, the French-Spanish border region will become quite noisy when you and the Ottomans begin operations. And I’ve secured a promise of military support if needed.”

“Excellent.”

Pedro poured wine into a Joseon crystal glass and handed it to Cosimo.

“Once Florence properly supplies the rifles and cannons, our final card will be in place. So make sure to deliver properly.”

“Don’t worry.”

The two men toasted as Cosimo gave his assurance. Pedro smiled while watching the crystal glass sparkle in the candlelight.

“It shines especially bright today.”

***

Crossing into the 29th year of King Sejong’s reign (1447, Year of Jeongmyo), March.

Portuguese forces landed on the western coast of Alexandria.

Almost simultaneously, the Ottoman Empire began marching toward the Lebanon region.

As soon as April arrived, France began engaging in armed conflict with Spain in their border region.

Thus began what would later be called “The First World War.”

***

As war broke out in the Mediterranean region, Joseon was immediately affected.

“The trade route to Alexandria has been blocked!”

Upon receiving the urgent report, Hyang immediately ordered the ministers.

“We must obtain as much information as possible! And since this might affect trade routes with India and other regions, we need to exercise special caution!”

“We receive your command!”

The ministers and officials moved swiftly at Hyang’s order.

Meanwhile, merchants who heard the rumors wore troubled expressions.

“War! What chaos!”

“We’ve made so many goods to send to Alexandria!”

Similarly, those who had invested in the “Venture Capital Fund” were also in turmoil.

“Should we withdraw our investments since the Western trade route is blocked?”

“Perhaps we should wait and see?”

“Wouldn’t it be better to pull out now?”

The investors gathered in small groups to desperately seek answers.

Upon hearing reports about this, Hyang immediately summoned Hwang Hui, Kim Jeom, and the Finance Minister for discussion.

“If we’re not careful, money could drain from the fund en masse and everything could fall apart! We need countermeasures for this!”

At Hyang’s point, Hwang Hui turned to Kim Jeom.

“What percentage of our Joseon’s external trade is with the West?”

“About thirty-five percent.”

“That’s quite significant…”

Hwang Hui muttered in a troubled tone. Hyang continued questioning.

“Does all that thirty-five percent go to Europe?”

“No. Twenty percent goes to Europe, and the remaining fifteen percent goes to nations around Alexandria.”

“Hmm…”

After brief contemplation, Hyang reached a conclusion.

“Let’s use Aden.”

“Aden, you say?”

***

While Joseon was frantically working to find countermeasures, there was someone wearing a satisfied smile.

It was Emperor Xuande.

“Finally, the time has come to deal with these troublemakers.”

***

Note 1) Guns, Sails and Empires. Written by Carlo M. Cipolla. Miji Books

Note 2) Guns, Sails and Empires. Written by Carlo M. Cipolla, Miji Books