Black Corporation: Joseon

Chapter 499

Episode 499: Those who earn, those who spend. (1)

According to Mochiyo’s decision, stone-style rifles and swords were produced in large quantities and began to cross the sea.

In addition, the Bigyeokjincheonroeyeol type and toys for firing the Bigyeokjincheonroe crossed the sea along with a large amount of gunpowder.

And a huge amount of sales money came in through adjustments.

Thanks to this, whenever weapons destined for Japan were shipped from Area 51, Kim Jeom and the Minister of Finance and Economy watched the shipment from the entrance of Area 51.

Whenever wooden boxes containing various weapons were taken out, Kim Jeom and the Minister of Finance and Economy chatted with happy faces.

“It would be great if the Japanese civil war lasted just five years, no more, no less.”

“I can’t help but agree.”

For every box of weapons sent out, a box of silver was brought in, so the two men were hoping that the Japanese civil war would worsen into a long-term war.

However, they were well aware that if the internal situation of the Japanese state worsened, it would pose a threat to Joseon as well, so they limited it to ‘just five years’.

“oh! “The toys are finally out!”

“Look! “How many more toys will be released in the future?”

In response to Kim’s question, the person in charge of shipping searched through the relevant documents and answered.

“We have no plans except for the 12 doors that are leaving today. “Whether or not it will be added in the future will be decided depending on the Japanese war situation.”

“is it? “Are there enough toys in stock?”

“I have about 50 questions left. From now on, there is nothing I can turn over even if Daenae wants it.”

At the words of the delivery manager, Kim Jeom and the Minister of Finance and Economy looked full of regret.

“is it? “There are no plans for reproduction, right?”

“Even the mold has already been melted.”

“It’s such a shame, it’s such a shame… Tsk!”

“Tsk!”

Kim Jeom and the Minister of Finance and Economy only had their appetites piqued.

* * *

The toy used to launch the bigyeokjincheonroe was a fool’s errand.

Toys made as ultra-short-range bombardment weapons for siege use were stones carved into round shells. Afterwards, with the creation of the Bigyeokjincheonroe, its mission changed to a dedicated artillery.

However, with the deployment of new dedicated artillery pieces with longer ranges and improved mobility by mounting them on carriages, toys were relegated to the backroom.

Because of this, many toys, like other Fuhrers, were melted down and put into recycling.

It was with the outbreak of the Japanese civil war that a new opportunity arose for toys that had only been waiting for recycling.

The toys were used as cannons for firing downgraded Bigeokjincheonroe to be given to Mochiyo of Ouchi, and Joseon naturally sold them with a considerable markup.

“It may be interesting, but there will be no reproduction.”

“Haona”

“Do you think there will be enough demand to re-make the melted molds and even make casting molds? As time goes by and there is more time, the Daenaes will make it themselves. So there is no additional production.”

Kim Jeom and the Minister of Finance and Economy only lost their appetite for Hyang’s firm decision.

* * *

Once the water was opened, Daenae’s shopping list became longer and longer.

“huh? “You want to buy dry food?”

“yes.”

In response to the request sent by Daenae, Hyang asked again with an expression full of worry.

“Is it really the head of the family’s decision? “I think I’m going to die if you’re arbitrary this time too, right?”

In response to Hyang’s concern, the lion bowed his head and responded.

“I am truly devastated that you are worried about my child’s well-being. But this is clearly your lord’s will.”

“Then that’s fortunate, but don’t you also have supplies?”

“That’s true, but if our military supply simply fills the stomach, Joseon’s healthy supply also fills us with vitality.”

The governor and ministers all nodded at Ja’s answer.

* * *

From the ancient times to the future, the Korean people were ‘sincere about what they eat.’ As a matter of fact, the greeting given to Koreans every time they met an acquaintance was, ‘Have you eaten?’

Thanks to this background, the dry food made by Hyang had good preservation properties, but it was a product that had a decent taste (of course, it was very salty) and was able to provide nutritionally balanced calories.

Thanks to this, it was even used for lunch at social democratic schools attended by children in their prime of growth.

Of course, as financial resources became available through the police training, many social democratic schools began hiring caterers separately to provide meals.

On the contrary, the food provided to Japanese soldiers was truly poor. The steamed rice was dried well and then carried around and eaten raw, chewed or soaked in water. The only side dish was taro stems marinated in soybean paste, twisted like a baby, worn around the waist, boiled, and eaten.

Of course, since it was made from brown rice rather than polished white rice, it provided significant nutrients, but it was not as dry as the Joseon Dynasty.

* * *

“Hmm… If it is the decision of the internal world, let’s sell it.”

“Thank you. “I said…”

“Is there anything else?”

As the lion tried to add, Hyang muttered a question to himself.

‘Did you taste it once you tried it?’

“yes. “Please sell bundles of emergency bandages for soldiers to carry.”

“Bandages? Hmm… I guess…”

Hyang shook his head at the lion’s words.

* * *

Although it was a place where various things were done, the most part was related to national defense.

‘Of all the virtues, the one with the most merit is Mildeok!’

Therefore, Hyang, who was developing various weapons, became aware of the real problems.

“It’s already hard because we don’t have enough people, so shouldn’t we keep the soldiers alive as much as possible?”

After thinking that far, Hyang immediately called the medical doctors.

“Are you talking about an herb that has hemostatic properties?”

“That’s right. “You can boil it and drink it, but it must be an herb that has medicinal properties even if you powder it and sprinkle it.”

“I will look for it.”

Following the orders of the local government, the lawmakers searched medical books and called herbalists to inquire whether such herbs were available.

“I found it!”

“Is that so?”

Six months later, the doctor found the perfect herb.

“The best is ginseng, but it is difficult to obtain since it comes from the Sichuan region of China. So I searched further and was able to find something suitable.”

“So what is it?”

“Jiyu (??) is coming. “The people call it cucumber plant.”

“Thank you for your effort! “Then let’s make this something that can be used comfortably on the battlefield!”

The hemostatic powder made from medicinal herbs was placed in a small paper bag made of oil.

Aside from the hemostatic agent, the only thing the scent touched was a bandage.

“You mean a bandage soaked in honey?”

“yes. “They say honey prevents suppuration from forming in wounds.”

The most senior lawmaker’s eyes lit up at Hyang’s words.

“I have heard that honey has such benefits. “How did you know?”

In response to the lawmaker’s question, Hyang slightly blurted out his words.

“Well, after listening to this and that story and reading the book….”

‘I can’t say anything about what I saw in a movie!’

Since Hyang’s eccentricity was famous, the lawmakers assumed it was just that and passed on it. But soon another problem arose.

“That expensive honey….”

“Of course it has to be diluted. “Let’s find the optimal concentration.”

‘Even in the movies, they mix it with water to make it bitter!’

Following the direction of the township, lawmakers repeated trial and error to find the optimal concentration that combines medicinal efficacy and economic efficiency.

And the doctors who found the optimal concentration began clinical trials with bandages coated with diluted honey.

“It definitely works!”

“Then let’s make it in bulk!”

In this way, the ‘Emergency Bandage Bundle’, the Joseon version of the ‘First Aid Kit’, was created and began to be distributed to soldiers.

“What is it used for?”

At first, the soldiers tilted their heads. However, when its effectiveness was proven through soldiers injured while fighting with the Jurchen tribe in the north, the soldiers carried bags containing emergency bandages and hemostatic agents as if they were a Shinju jar.

At the same time, a new class was born, the ‘medical soldier’.

Instead of weapons, the medics carried two large barangs and three canteens. Two of the three canteens were filled with ethanol for disinfecting wounds. One of the two bars was filled with cotton balls soaked in the spirit, and the other was filled with bags of hemostats and emergency bandages.

* * *

Ouchi learned about these emergency bandages and hemostatic agents while treating wounded soldiers in the Joseon Dynasty.

‘My superiors’ doctors said that if you just sprinkle some powder on it, the bleeding will stop and the wound will heal!’

‘The doctors said that if you bandage it, the wound won’t fester!’

The rumor spread everywhere on the wind, and when Mochiyo heard it, he immediately gave an order.

“Let’s find out more!”

Mochiyo learned of the existence of emergency bandages and hemostatic agents in this way, and of course added them to her shopping list.

* * *

While they were selling goods to Ouchi like this, Waegwan merchants approached Joseon.

“Please sell Joseon long guns to our territory as well.”

Hyang, who received requests from merchants sent by lords from all over the Japanese country, gave a short answer.

“I will consider it when I receive Daenae’s letter of guarantee.”

“Do you mean Ouchi’s guarantee?”

“Isn’t it natural that there is an issue of trust between our Joseon Dynasty and the Daenae Clan?”

“That’s true, but….”

“I won’t do business with you without a guarantee.”

The merchants had no choice but to retreat with a troubled look on their faces at Hyang’s firm answer.

And this had an impact on the entire Japanese nation.

A situation had come where all the lords of the Japanese kingdom had to make a choice.

– Ouchi or shogunate?

While watching the battle between the Ouchi and the Shogunate, they realized the importance of gunpowder weapons, but the only way for them to obtain gunpowder weapons was to join hands with one of the two powers.

Thanks to this, the entire Japanese nation began to properly split into two.

Although the parties were divided, both sides wanted the ’emergency bandage bundle’ and Joseon also sold it regardless.

“Because if we block this, it will not be easy to maintain it even if Mr. Daenae takes power.”

As Hyang said, there was a question of justification, so Ouchi could not make any protest.

And this ‘emergency bandage bundle’ turned out to be an unexpectedly useful product.

Thanks to this, the auction that determines who will take charge of the business of making ’emergency bandage bundles’ recorded the highest competition rate in a long time.

While the officials of the township and government were working hard to make money, there was someone who smiled in remorse.

* * *

“Abama sent a letter.”

The ministers and vice ministers gathered at Seunghwadang lost their expressions as soon as they could speak.

Hyang continued, looking at the expressions on the officials’ faces.

“He praised me and you for your hard work. “They were very pleased with the result, saying it exceeded their expectations.”

Although the scent conveyed King Sejong’s praise, the officials’ faces were not very pleasant.

Kim Jeom, who received a glance from Hwang Hee, asked Hyang with a solemn look on his face.

“So what else do you need this time?”

“It’s a bit much.”

“Tsk!”

The moment Kim Jeom heard Hyang’s words, he bit his tongue.

‘Some people work hard to earn money, while others!’

Even though he was grumbling inside, Kim Jeom didn’t have the courage to say anything.