Black Corporation: Joseon

After hearing Xuande’s message through Wang Chong, Zhu Qizhen fell silent. Zhao Bingde and other generals standing beside him watched Zhu Qizhen with tense expressions.

After long deliberation, Zhu Qizhen spoke with difficulty.

“I’ll need quite a bit of time. Meanwhile, have the soldiers prepare garrison grounds and training fields.”

“We receive your command!”

“And securely store the funds His Majesty sent, then establish thorough guards. Remember that these funds are essential regardless of the outcome!”

“We shall keep it foremost in mind!”

Receiving the generals’ military salutes, Zhu Qizhen entered the Liaodong Commissioner’s residence.

***

After carrying out Zhu Qizhen’s orders, the generals gathered in Zhao Bingde’s command tent to discuss.

“What should we do?”

“What do you mean what? When the commander gives orders, we simply follow them.”

“You know well this situation can’t end with such textbook answers!”

“Then what would you do? Desert?”

“Why are you bringing up desertion!”

“Well, what’s stopping us from deserting?”

“And you call yourself a Ming general!”

As arguments broke out between the generals, the atmosphere grew increasingly hostile. As the situation escalated to the point where violence seemed imminent, Zhao Bingde slammed both hands on the table.

Bang!

“What unseemly behavior is this! Military texts say a general must be grave in word and thought, yet how can you show such frivolous behavior!”

At Zhao Bingde’s shout, the generals bowed their heads and responded.

“We apologize!”

“We’re sorry.”

Looking at the generals, Zhao Bingde continued.

“Frankly, I understand your concerns. I too have much to think about, but in the end, the conclusion is simple. Whether we remain as border generals under a feudal king^[1] or become generals of a newly establishing nation, we have only one task.”

“What single task do you mean?”

To his subordinate general’s question, Zhao Bingde answered simply.

“Bringing Joseon to its knees.”

“Joseon, you say?”

Zhao Bingde nodded.

“Yes. What else could His Majesty’s secret command mean? And what’s behind the ‘self-production and self-consumption’ movement spreading among scholars in retirement recently?”

“Hmm…”

“Ah…”

At Zhao Bingde’s words, the generals began nodding one by one. As they realized their situation, the generals started cursing.

“Fucking hell…”

“Damn it…”

“Shit, this makes me want to curse…”

At the Korean curses erupting from all directions, Zhao Bingde shook his head slightly.

***

These days in Ming, one needed to own at least one or two high-end Joseon products to maintain face in society.

Even when marrying off children, wedding gifts needed to include several Joseon luxury items to maintain dignity.

Beyond that, mixing in a few Korean words during conversation had become fashionable.

And among these mixed-in words, curses were by far the most common.

***

Zhao Bingde calmed the generals’ commotion by concluding:

“Though the form and color of the banner we fly may change, our mission remains singular. Subjugate Joseon! For this, we must devise strategies, prepare weapons, and train soldiers!”

“We receive your command!”

***

Zhu Qizhen secluded himself for three days. Barely eating while wrestling with his thoughts, Zhu Qizhen finally made his decision.

“Though he promised to permit declaring emperor, at best it would be ‘outwardly king, inwardly emperor'^[2]…”

Zhu Qizhen estimated that even if he declared himself emperor, the limit would be maintaining outward appearances as king while being emperor internally.

“But as a great man should establish his own house, isn’t it my duty to establish my own nation!”

Finally, Zhu Qizhen took Xuande’s bait.

Stepping out of his room, Zhu Qizhen shouted loudly.

“Gather the generals!”

***

With all generals assembled, Zhu Qizhen announced his decision.

“Therefore, I hereby declare to heaven the establishment of a new nation, Great Yan!”

At Zhu Qizhen’s declaration, the generals wore expressions suggesting the inevitable had come. Seeing the generals hesitate to speak, Zhu Qizhen continued.

“Those who do not wish to participate in Our great enterprise, leave immediately! I give you one double-hour’s grace! After that, anyone leaving their post will be considered deserters and immediately executed!”

With these words, Zhu Qizhen fell silent, and the generals watched each other’s reactions.

At that moment, Zhao Bingde knelt, cupped his hands, and shouted loudly.

“I shall participate in the great enterprise!”

As if Zhao Bingde’s decision was the trigger, other generals soon knelt, cupped their hands, and shouted.

“I shall participate in the great enterprise!”

***

With Zhu Qizhen making his decision and the generals choosing to participate, things quickly began taking shape.

In the grand conference room of the Liaodong Commissioner’s office, Zhu Qizhen held a meeting with Wang Chong and the generals. Gathered around a table with maps showing Liaodong and Joseon’s terrain, Zhao Bingde pointed out immediate concerns.

“Though recruiting and training soldiers is important, equally important is manufacturing weapons for them to use. Especially crucial are guns and artillery. Securing resources to make these is vital.”

“This humble one knows the answer to that.”

Wang Chong stepped forward to answer Zhao Bingde’s point. Walking to the map, Wang Chong pointed to one location.

“Here, Fushun can be the answer. It’s rich in timber, coal, iron, and copper. This place can sufficiently supply resources to make the necessary weapons.”

“That’s fortunate.”

As Zhu Qizhen showed relief, a young general stood up and pointed out another issue.

“We need sufficient gunpowder to properly use guns and artillery. So we must also solve gunpowder supply.”

At the young general’s point, all eyes turned to Wang Chong. Wang Chong answered as if it were nothing.

“Twenty gunpowder craftsmen came along as well. The only issue is supplying saltpeter and sulfur. For this part alone, we must rely on merchants.”

At Wang Chong’s answer, Zhu Qizhen made a decision.

“For now, obtain saltpeter and sulfur under the name of the Eastern King’s Court rather than Great Yan.”

“It shall be done.”

After hearing Wang Chong’s response, Zhu Qizhen turned to the generals.

“Is there anything else we need to prepare for dealing with Joseon?”

At Zhu Qizhen’s question, a young general sitting in the lowest position stood up.

“We need powerful artillery that can break Joseon’s walls.”

To the young general’s suggestion, Zhao Bingde asked on Zhu Qizhen’s behalf.

“Our current artillery’s power can break most walls. Are you saying even that’s not enough?”

The young general immediately answered Zhao Bingde’s question.

“Joseon bastards’ walls aren’t just any walls. I don’t know what technique they used, but Joseon’s walls aren’t built by stacking bricks or stones – they’re single solid stone walls.”

“Explain in more detail.”

When the young general’s explanation ended, Zhu Qizhen and Zhao Bingde slightly shook their heads.

“Hard to believe.”

As the two showed skeptical expressions, young generals began standing up one after another to add their accounts.

“I’ve seen it too.”

“I as well…”

As the young generals’ reports continued, Zhu Qizhen and Zhao Bingde’s expressions grew serious.

“These are all men who served military duties in areas bordering Joseon. Then we certainly need countermeasures.”

“Indeed…”

Trailing off, Zhu Qizhen turned to Wang Chong.

“Do you have any solutions?”

“Please wait a moment.”

With these words, Wang Chong disappeared outside. After some time, Wang Chong returned carrying a large scroll.

“This should be the answer.”

As he spoke, Wang Chong spread the scroll across the table.

“It’s called the Fire Dragon Cannon^[3].”

“Ooh!”

“Oh!”

Zhu Qizhen and Zhao Bingde exclaimed in admiration seeing the cannon drawn on the scroll. As other generals showed interest at their reaction, Zhu Qizhen ordered.

“Pass it around to look.”

As they passed around the scroll, the generals continuously expressed admiration. Meanwhile, Zhu Qizhen asked Wang Chong.

“Though I was learning statecraft in Nanjing, I received reports about most things. Yet I’ve never once heard about this cannon. Does it actually exist?”

Wang Chong immediately answered Zhu Qizhen’s question.

“One piece was made, and after one test firing, it went straight to storage.”

“Why?”

“Though its power was good, there were many operational problems.”

“Still, with power like that from such a large cannon, it could rightfully be called invincible, couldn’t it?”

While Zhu Qizhen expressed regret, Zhao Bingde nodded.

“Indeed, it’s far too large for defensive use. Though it would be supreme for siege warfare, moving it to the battlefield would be a major undertaking.”

Wang Chong nodded at Zhao Bingde’s observation.

“That’s why it ended up in storage.”

“Then why did His Majesty have such a large cannon made?”

“It was made after hearing that Muslim countries in the Western Regions used such large cannons.”

“Huh…”

Zhu Qizhen and Zhao Bingde let out curious exclamations at Wang Chong’s explanation.

***

As Ming and Joseon’s foreign trade became active, various butterfly effects occurred, and changes in artillery were among them.

While Portugal chose to operate large numbers of mobile small artillery after seeing Joseon’s artillery corps, Ming brought in concepts of trebuchets from the Middle East and Europe to create large cannons.

***

After examining the blueprints Wang Chong brought, the generals unanimously answered Zhu Qizhen.

“With that large cannon, we can break Joseon’s walls!”

Hearing the generals’ answer, Zhu Qizhen immediately made his decision.

“Though its power is good, it has many drawbacks. Therefore, generals (제장(諸將, zhū jiāng = various generals)), work with Wang Chong to find solutions!”

“We receive your command!”

***

Meanwhile, Joseon was able to obtain intelligence about Zhu Qizhen’s movements.

“They sent their Crown Prince to Liaodong?”

To Hwang Hui’s question, Heo Hu immediately answered.

“They say they sent the empire’s Crown Prince because the Oirat with cannons might cause trouble.”

At Heo Hu’s answer, Hwang Hui looked at the other ministers.

“They sent the Crown Prince for such a matter? What do you all think? Does this seem appropriate?”

The ministers unanimously answered Hwang Hui’s question.

“Too much is as bad as too little.”

At the ministers’ answer, Hwang Hui nodded and stood up.

“Let’s go to Seunghwadang.”

***

“I received reports too. Not just the Crown Prince, but they sent 150,000 troops with him. What does the Defense Ministry think?”

To Hyang’s question, Jo Mal-saeng immediately answered.

“Ming’s forces are known to be about 3 million. And if it’s simply for Liaodong’s stability, 150,000 might be somewhat reasonable. However, the problem is this is unprecedented. Looking at past customs, when Ming worried about the Oirat or Jurchens, they strengthened forces deployed to the Great Wall. But now they’ve sent troops directly, and the Crown Prince with them? There must be other hidden schemes.”

Following Jo Mal-saeng’s words, Hwang Hui answered.

“Liaodong is clearly an excuse.”