Black Corporation: Joseon

The 29th year of King Sejong’s reign (1447, Year of Jeongmyo), November. Liaoyang Fortress.

On the wide plain before the fortress, numerous cavalry units were riding in formation.

Boom boom boom~

Bwoong~ Bwoong~

As great drums thundered and horns blared, banner bearers waved their colorful flags, and the cavalry units changed direction and formation accordingly.

Bwooooo~~~~

The moment the horn sounded, a section of cavalry that had been frantically changing positions raised their bows and loosed arrows.

Swish swish swish!

With a tremendous noise, the arrows soared skyward and instantly struck their targets.

“Charge!”

“Haaaah!”

At the following drumbeat, the remaining cavalry thrust their long spears forward and charged with battle cries. Racing at full speed toward the scarecrows set up in the distance, they pierced them with their spears as they passed.

***

Watching this scene from atop the Liaoyang fortress walls, Zhu Qizhen wore a satisfied expression as he turned to the generals standing nearby.

“The training is progressing very well.”

At Zhu Qizhen’s praise, Zhao Bingde replied with an expression full of pride.

“The Jurchen’s horsemanship was already famous, and the cavalry we brought were those who had gained experience fighting against the Tartars of Northern Yuan. The beginning was difficult, but with such coordination, none under heaven could match them.”

Nodding at Zhao Bingde’s response, Zhu Qizhen nevertheless didn’t forget to add a reminder.

“Don’t forget that after crossing the Yalu River, we must advance toward Hanseong as quickly as possible. The cavalry will be most crucial for this.”

“Yes, sir!”

“And how is the training going regarding the artillery that the Joseon people will fire?”

Horses were more timid animals than expected. It was certain they wouldn’t perform their roles properly in actual battle unless made accustomed to gunfire and cannon fire.

Zhao Bingde immediately answered Zhu Qizhen’s point.

“Yes! We’re making them familiar by taking them alongside the artillery and gun units during firing practice!”

“That’s fortunate…”

Nodding at Zhao Bingde’s answer while observing the cavalry training, Zhu Qizhen turned around.

“Well then, shall we observe the gun troops and artillery training?”

“I’ll escort you!”

***

The place where Zhao Bingde guided Zhu Qizhen was an open field outside Liaoyang fortress.

At the field where Zhu Qizhen arrived, many gun troops were lined up receiving training.

“Fire!”

Ratatat!

“Rotate!”

Following the commander’s orders, the soldiers who had fired their iron guns quickly turned and stepped back. Simultaneously, the next row sprang forward into firing position.

“Aim! Fire!”

Ratatat!

Following the commander’s orders, the soldiers in firing position quickly raised their guns, aimed at the targets, and pulled their triggers.

“Rotate!”

Following the commander’s next order, the soldiers who had finished firing switched positions with the next row.

“Present arms!”

Only after the soldiers’ firing had gone through one complete rotation did the shooting stop.

Watching this scene from behind, Zhu Qizhen turned to Zhao Bingde.

“Are they all veteran soldiers?”

“No, sir. Eighty percent are new recruits.”

“Eighty percent are new recruits? Yet they show such proficiency?”

Zhu Qizhen couldn’t hide his surprise at Zhao Bingde’s answer. The gunners he had occasionally seen at the Forbidden City had shown about this level of skill.

Yet if Zhao Bingde’s answer was true, most of these were new recruits who had only recently been conscripted.

“Considering when they were conscripted, I can tell without watching how hard you and those commanders must have worked! I’ll reward you when I return! And I’ll also grant wine and meat to those soldiers!”

“Your grace is boundless!”

After expressing deep gratitude, Zhao Bingde turned to relay Zhu Qizhen’s decision to the junior commanders and soldiers.

“Woooah!”

“A thousand years! A thousand years! Ten thousand years!”

Hearing the news, the soldiers cheered and gave three cheers for a thousand years.

Hearing the soldiers’ cheers, Zhu Qizhen muttered quietly.

“After a year passes, it won’t be cheers for a thousand years, but for ten thousand years.”

So far, only the highest-ranking commanders knew of Zhu Qizhen’s resolve.

As the soldiers’ cheers died down, Zhao Bingde asked Zhu Qizhen.

“Now that you’ve seen the rotational firing method, would you like to see the advancing rotation method?”

At Zhao Bingde’s words, Zhu Qizhen’s face lit up.

“Oh! They’ve already mastered that method?”

“Yes!”

“Then let’s see it!”

As soon as Zhu Qizhen gave permission, Zhao Bingde relayed orders through a messenger.

Shortly after, a flag bearer waved a signal flag, and seeing this signal, the commanders issued orders to the gun troops.

Soon, the gun troops again conducted alternating fire toward the targets. The difference from before was that instead of the soldiers who finished firing going to the very back, the next row of soldiers would advance past them while continuing the fire.

****

After observing the gun troops’ firing, Zhu Qizhen continued his praise while heading to the artillery training ground.

“Truly excellent! Such proficiency! Only the gunners at the Forbidden City could match that level!”

“We are humbled!”

“The speed of reloading was especially spectacular!”

“While the soldiers’ training was good, the method that came from Wa was truly excellent.”

Zhu Qizhen’s eyes sparkled at Zhao Bingde’s response.

“From Wa? What method?”

“Preparing powder and bullets needed for one shot in advance by bundling them in paper.”

At Zhao Bingde’s answer, Zhu Qizhen showed a surprised expression.

“Those fellows had such knowledge?”

“They say they learned it from Joseon.”

At Zhao Bingde’s response, Zhu Qizhen nodded with an expression that seemed to say ‘ah, that explains it.’

“From Joseon? Well, that makes sense…”

***

Arriving at the artillery training ground and observing the artillery units’ training, Zhu Qizhen asked Zhao Bingde.

“If Joseon’s walls are as sturdy as the Jurchen say, wouldn’t it be better to increase the number of cannons using thunder bombs rather than those using iron balls or great arrows?”

“That’s why we’re currently increasing the ratio of launchers that fire thunder bombs.”

“That’s fortunate.”

Nodding at Zhao Bingde’s answer, Zhu Qizhen granted rewards to the commanders and bestowed wine and meat to the soldiers, just as he had done for the gun troops.

“Ah, I forgot earlier, grant wine and meat and rewards to the cavalry as well.”

“We receive your command!”

After granting rewards to the cavalry as well, Zhu Qizhen immediately mounted his horse.

“Let’s head to the arsenal!”

“Yes! I’ll escort you!”

***

While heading to the arsenal, Zhu Qizhen’s face gradually hardened.

“I wonder if we’ve succeeded this time.”

At Zhu Qizhen’s words, Zhao Bingde kept his mouth shut.

What Zhu Qizhen was worrying about succeeding was the Fire Dragon Cannon, the decisive weapon for breaking Joseon’s reportedly sturdy walls.

The Fire Dragon Cannon, so massive that calling it ‘unprecedented’ would be an understatement, was no joke to manufacture.

Enormous furnaces were built just to create the bronze needed for its massive body.

And creating the mold to cast such a large cannon was also backbreaking work.

Not only were thousands of local people mobilized for this work, but tens of thousands of workers also had to be deployed to the mining regions of Mukden.

Beyond the manpower issues, the costs involved in manufacturing were also no joke.

Despite pouring in so much manpower and funds, casting the great cannon had been a series of failures. While failed cannons could be melted down and recycled, solving the resource supply issue, the consumption of time and money gave Zhu Qizhen headaches.

***

“Amazing that we can feel the heat from here even in midwinter.”

Uttering a small exclamation at the intense heat felt from the arsenal’s entrance, Zhu Qizhen stepped inside.

Entering the arsenal, Zhu Qizhen immediately sought out Wang Chong to hear the current situation.

“So… there’s a high possibility of success this time?”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

At Wang Chong’s answer, Zhu Qizhen stroked his chin while examining the arsenal’s interior. Even now, craftsmen were busily examining the condition of the molds, and many workers were diligently moving carts full of coal and minerals.

“Hmm… we must succeed this time. Not much time remains.”

“We will do our utmost.”

“Don’t forget we need to complete at least three.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“Well then, let’s move past the Fire Dragon Cannon issue and discuss the production of other artillery and iron guns…”

After finishing checking the supply of weapons needed for the army, Zhu Qizhen moved on to the next issue.

“How is the gunpowder supply?”

“We’re doing our best to secure raw materials now.”

At Wang Chong’s words, Zhu Qizhen turned to Zhao Bingde. Receiving the silent question, Zhao Bingde immediately spoke.

“Looking at the current situation, we’re only using gunpowder in one out of ten training sessions.”

At Zhao Bingde’s point, Wang Chong earnestly made excuses.

“We’re well aware of that issue. That’s why we’re reaching out to various merchant groups. We’ll somehow secure sufficient quantities by the first month.”

At Wang Chong’s words, Zhu Qizhen summarized the situation.

“I hope you keep that promise. If you do, there will be sufficient reward for you.”

“I will do my utmost!”

***

After finishing his inspection of the soldiers’ training and arsenal situation and returning, Zhu Qizhen headed straight to the conference room without even a moment’s rest.

“Now then, let’s review the plan once more.”

“Yes.”

At Zhu Qizhen’s words, Zhao Bingde stood from his seat and addressed the generals.

“Confirming our current forces, including the troops from the Liaodong Guard, those we brought with us, and those secured through conscription, we have 320,000.”

“That’s a bit tight.”

When one of the generals commented thus, Zhao Bingde nodded.

“Indeed. That’s why we’re continuing conscription. And while Your Highness continues to send letters to Beijing, it’s safer not to count on that.”

At Zhao Bingde’s words, all the commanders nodded. If they were going to get troops through Zhu Qizhen’s whining, they wouldn’t have sent just 150,000 in the first place.

Zhao Bingde continued speaking.

“Therefore, the maximum force we can mobilize is 250,000. We need 70,000 to guard against possible Jurchen uprising and Joseon counterattack.”

At Zhao Bingde’s words, Zhu Qizhen and all the commanders nodded.

Seeing everyone in agreement, Zhao Bingde continued.

“Hence, after deliberating with the staff, we concluded that concentration at a single point is the best way to achieve optimal results.”

“By concentration at a single point, you mean deploying all forces at just one location?”

“That’s right.”

Nodding, Zhao Bingde explained the reasons.

-To invade Joseon, we must first cross the Yalu River. While simultaneous crossing at multiple points would increase chances of success, it’s difficult in this case.

-The reason is Joseon’s firepower. According to the Jurchen, Joseon has deployed large numbers of highly lethal weapons like thunder-crash bombs and war wagons.

-In such circumstances, attempting multiple crossings would likely only result in meaningless casualties.

-Rather, concentrating forces at a single point might unexpectedly increase chances of success.

“If Joseon’s firepower can kill 100 men at once, what happens if we send in twice that, no, 500 or even 1,000?”

After calculating briefly at Zhao Bingde’s words, all the generals nodded.

“So, where have you decided for the crossing point?”

At Zhu Qizhen’s question, Zhao Bingde pointed his command baton at one spot on the map hanging on the wall.

“Insanjin^[1].”

It was the place that would be called Sinuiju in the history before Hyang’s intervention.

Story Arcs