Black Corporation: Joseon

“Phew…”

Hyang sighed while checking the equipment list requested by the military in preparation for a possible – no, an almost certain – outbreak of war.

“The Ministry of Finance is going to have a fit.”

Supplying the equipment demanded by the military would require releasing massive additional funding. The problem was the Ministry of Finance. Convincing them, who regarded ‘balanced finance’ as equivalent to the teachings of sages, would not be an easy task.

Of course, while the Ministry understood the urgency of the situation, they would certainly try to cut costs wherever possible.

“Well, that means they’re doing their job properly, but it’s maddening for those on the receiving end…”

While checking the list and contemplating the upcoming verbal battle with Kim Jeom and the Finance Minister, Hyang tapped his finger on one section of the report.

“This part will be the immediate problem. But we can’t back down.”

-Standardize cartridge cases for Type-Eul rifles and war wagons to copper alloy.

This was the most basic item that Hyang was determined to push through.

***

With the supply of breech-loading Type-Eul rifles and war wagons, paper cartridges had also evolved into cartridge cases.

However, the cartridge cases currently used by the Joseon military were a kind of hybrid. Like 21st-century hunting shotgun shells, only the base containing the primer was copper, while the rest of the body was made of oiled paper.

For the Type-Eul war wagons where cartridge ejection and loading were performed by mechanical devices rather than human hands, and Type-Eul rifles used in humid marine environments, cartridge cases made entirely of copper alloy were used. However, regular infantry and cavalry were supplied with ammunition using copper-paper hybrid cartridge cases without exception.

This was due to economic reasons.

Copper was scarce in Joseon.

Though copper mines had been discovered in Great Snow Island and within Joseon proper, neither site was particularly profitable.

Moreover, as Joseon developed, the demand for copper continued to increase, starting from tableware. As a result, the search for copper mines was still ongoing.

In this situation, making cartridge cases entirely from copper even for regular infantry ammunition was unfeasible.

However, the copper-paper hybrid cartridges were quite troublesome. Being made of metal and paper – materials difficult to bond firmly together – they required great care in production.

Production efficiency was also an issue. The process of creating cartridge bodies from oiled paper still required significant manual labor.

There had been attempts to manufacture them using machines, but failed products could only be used as kindling, creating a recycling problem.

Ultimately, the process of rolling paper to create cartridge bodies had to be done by hand, one at a time.

These paper cartridges were also difficult to maintain. Of course, there weren’t any particular problems when used in properly equipped facilities like garrisons and fortresses.

The problem would arise when crossing the Yalu River for counterattacks. They would certainly deteriorate quickly in places without proper storage facilities.

Therefore, Hyang planned to use this opportunity to standardize ammunition with copper cartridge cases, at least for troops being deployed to combat.

***

“Originally planned to replace them in about five years, but some damn fools are making us deal with this headache now…”

Tapping his finger on the problematic item, Hyang continued to vent his frustration.

***

Hyang had not intended to use the hybrid cartridges for long.

“Given our current rate of development, we could completely overhaul everything in about five years without significant financial issues.”

According to Hyang’s plan, in five years they would have produced not hybrid cartridges but all-copper alloy cartridge cases.

This wasn’t just about changing the cartridge material – they were working toward replacing black powder with smokeless powder and reducing bullet caliber.

To reduce trial and error in this process, they were experimenting with test ammunition and corresponding rifles through the Tiger Hunter Marksman Unit.

-The Tiger Hunter Marksman Unit must operate in harsh conditions. Current ammunition is unsuitable for this purpose, so new ammunition and rifles will be issued.

When Sejong approved Hyang’s proposal with this justification, Kim Jeom naturally objected.

“I acknowledge there are issues with oiled paper cartridge cases. However, I believe it unnecessary to create new ammunition when we already have copper-cased ammunition.”

Hyang stepped forward to answer Kim Jeom’s point.

“The Tiger Hunter Marksman Unit’s mission is to ambush and snipe. The powder in current Type-Eul war wagon and rifle ammunition produces thick smoke that immediately reveals position. Therefore, we’ll use smokeless powder. We’ll also increase power by reducing bullet size, like with armor-piercing arrows.”

Kim Jeom had to concede to Hyang’s explanation.

Thanks to Kim Jeom’s concession, new ammunition and rifles were issued to the Tiger Hunter Marksman Unit. While the ammunition was similar in length, its caliber was reduced by half – from half-chi (about 1.5cm) to 2.5 pun (about 7.5mm) – yet its power was actually superior to existing ammunition. Simply put, it achieved power similar to rifle ammunition used through World War I.

For the rifle, they modified the rolling block action that had been a candidate for the Type-Eul rifle.

Of course, being issued to the Tiger Hunter Marksman Unit, it was equipped with a vernier sight suitable for long-range sniping.

“For sniping we need telescopes, but current telescopes are really…”

Looking at the vernier sight, Hyang couldn’t hide his disappointment.

Despite such advances, current telescopes had too much image distortion for use in sniping. While they could make distant objects appear larger, precise aiming was still impossible. (Note 1)

Therefore, Hyang had adopted the vernier sight system for precise aiming. (Note 2)

Hyang’s timeline was as follows:

-Replace with new ammunition and rifles within 5 years.

-Replace Type-Eul war wagons with medium machine guns at the level of the Maxim gun within 10 years.

-With this, Joseon would not be inferior to Ming in military power. Then naturally break away from serving the great and declare imperial status.

This 10-year plan of Hyang’s had been completely disrupted by the war in Europe and Emperor Xuande’s schemes.

***

After thorough preparation, Hyang met with Kim Jeom and the Finance Minister.

After carefully examining the purchase list submitted by the military and Hyang, Kim Jeom and the Finance Minister let out long sighs.

“Phew~”

“Haah~”

After sighing deeply enough to sink the floor, Kim Jeom clicked his tongue and spoke.

“Tsk! Though we must spend considerable funds, given the urgency of the situation, we’ll prepare immediately.”

Hyang brightened at their unexpectedly ready acceptance.

“Thank you very much! Now we can prepare thoroughly!”

“We are merely doing what we must as servants of the state.”

Following the Finance Minister’s words, Kim Jeom added:

“Indeed. Rather, if we do our best treating this as an opportunity, how could we oppose something that could allow our Joseon to break the shackles of serving the great and achieve independence? We must use this chance to become self-reliant and strong.”

Kim Jeom’s words were full of pent-up emotion.

At Kim Jeom’s words, Hyang nodded slightly and muttered internally:

These gentlemen have been holding back a lot.

Since the Yongle Emperor’s time, Ming had applied various pressures to ensure their national security and weaken Joseon’s capabilities.

Therefore, there were hardly any elder ministers who were favorable toward Ming.

In any case, with Kim Jeom and the Finance Minister readily accepting the additional expenditure proposal, the matter was settled in a warm atmosphere.

The court historian who recorded all this added the following:

-Thus, the Left Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister who received the Crown Prince’s budget proposal immediately declared they would disburse the funds.

The historian says: The current ominous atmosphere is due to Liaodong and Ming. Though our Joseon never violated the etiquette of serving the great and did our best in neighborly relations, this has happened. How can this not be called an outrageous act? All things return to justice, they say, and karma returns. They must pay the proper price for their sins.

By the way, it feels somewhat unsatisfying that the Finance Minister and Left Deputy Prime Minister gave in so easily.

This isn’t right…

***

With the Ministry of Finance’s ready acceptance, Joseon’s response began to gain momentum.

“How are the preparations for mobilizing reserves proceeding?”

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

“Regular training during the farming off-season has already begun. Through this, we’re re-confirming military registries and proceeding with organization work. If the situation develops in spring, we can immediately transmit emergency orders and deploy.”

“Won’t supply of weapons and equipment be delayed?”

“We’ve contracted with suitable merchant groups in cooperation with the Ministry of Finance.”

“Please keep in mind that we must not miss the timing.”

To Hyang’s reminder, Jo Mal-saeng bowed his head and answered.

“I will engrave it in my bones and heart.”

After checking the troop mobilization issue, Hyang turned to Hwang Hui.

“If something happens, there will be those who spread malicious rumors. And there will be those who seek unfair profits through hoarding or other illegal means. We must find these people and punish their crimes.”

At Hyang’s words, Hwang Hui bowed his head.

“Yes, we plan to summon the police chiefs of the Police Bureau to emphasize this point as well. However…”

Pausing briefly, Hwang Hui carefully continued.

“What are your thoughts regarding the government slaves assigned to the mines?”

“The mine slaves…”

Hyang’s face hardened at Hwang Hui’s question.

The government slaves Hwang Hui mentioned were the families of those who had started the Giyu Rebellion. The ringleaders had all been executed by dismemberment, and their families had become government slaves performing hard labor in the mines.

They were undoubtedly the most miserable people in current Joseon.

Other government slaves or private slaves could dream of possible manumission, and even without it, received fairly humane treatment.

But these people were excluded from all that. The men had to work in the deepest parts of the mines, while the women were mobilized to carry the mined minerals.

What made their situation even worse was the severe discrimination. Though doing the same work, free miners and women received generous wages and could receive good compensation in case of accidents. But these people had none of that.

They just had to work themselves to death until they died or received royal clemency.

And Sejong had no intention whatsoever of showing them clemency.

What should I do in this situation? What’s the right answer?

By 21st century standards, immediate amnesty would be the answer, but this was Joseon under absolute monarchy. And pardoning them in the current situation would be a dangerous gamble.

Can’t be helped. I’ll take the criticism…

“Sigh~”

After a long sigh, Hyang answered Hwang Hui.

“First, strengthen security at mines where government slaves are present.”

“Yes.”

“If necessary, please prepare plans to move them all to the mines on Great Snow Island.”

“We receive your command.”

***

Note 1) Think of the scenes where British officers use telescopes in Mel Gibson’s film ‘The Patriot’.

Note 2) This refers to the sight mounted on the rifle stock in the above image.

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