Black Corporation: Joseon

Chapter 535

Episode 535 Conspiracy (1)

The 28th year of King Sejong’s reign (1446, Byeongin year), as

soon as spring came, the Portuguese merchants immediately visited Joseon.

“I guess you came early?”

Sangsangju responded with a smile to the words of a customs official with whom he was somewhat acquainted.

“ah! The wind was great!”

“exactly? I’m going to be very lucky this year! “You came a month early!”

“Ah haha, right? thank you.”

Sangsangju responded with a smile as best he could when he said something that he couldn’t tell if he really liked it or was criticizing it.

“So, there has been one more ship? Hey~. “Do you think business is really going well?”

“Ah, yes, yes…”

The ship that came with it was 3,000 rifles produced at the Area 51 Arsenal, a mold for making spherical lead bullets suitable for the caliber of the rifle, and a medicine gun containing bullets and gunpowder. Boxes containing 15,000 bags were loaded one after another.

While it was being loaded, merchants and soldiers from Portugal, Joseon’s customs and military officers in charge of transportation, and interpreters on both sides stood side by side and checked the cargo.

“15,000 packets of medicine… That’s a huge amount.”

The military officer smiled and responded to the words of the customs official inspecting the cargo while looking at the cargo list.

“The number of 15,000 bags may seem great, but in reality, it is not that big a deal. Because each bag only returns five bags. “Those five bars are just for confirmation.”

“For confirmation?”

The military officer answered the official’s question by pointing a finger.

“The two rods are used to check whether there are any problems with the long gun during the transport process, and the other three rods are used to check whether the rifle is properly placed at the intended location. To enter a real battle, you must have at least 60 bags per bag. “You need 60 peaks to have a proper battle.”

“Is that so?”

The official nodded at the military officer’s words and focused his attention on the inspection.

Meanwhile, the Portuguese officers who had been listening to the Joseon military officer through an interpreter next to them looked at each other in surprise.

“60 rounds in one battle?”

“Do Koreans fight all day long?”

“But 60 rounds is too much.”

The Portuguese officers shook their heads with an expression of complete incomprehension.

* * *

Looking at the battles that took place in Europe during this period, the musketeers going into battle had two lead bullets in their mouths. This was for fast and smooth reloading, and in most cases, no more than two shots were fired.

Of course, they carried barrels containing a single bullet and a single dose of gunpowder, nicknamed the ’12 Apostles’, but unless it was a really fierce battle, two bullets were the maximum.

This situation occurred because of problems with the loading method and short range.

This was because the musketeers were not given time to load more than two rounds unless there was strong cover.

* * *

Because of this background, the Portuguese officers were unable to understand what the Joseon military officer said.

“No matter how much I think about it, it seems like an exaggeration.”

“yes?”

In the end, they came to distrust the words of the Joseon military officers.

If they had known the identity of the ‘real’ armored rifle used by the Joseon army, the characteristics of the Korean people themselves, and the tactics of the Joseon army, their conclusions would have been different.

The ‘copper cap’, or detonator, replaced the three steps in the reloading process – opening the igniter cap, inserting the igniter, and closing the lid. In addition, the rifling engraved on the barrel ensured greater accuracy and longer range. And the oil covering the gunpowder and bullets made reloading easier.

Lastly, the Joseon army’s strategy of focusing on defense provided safe cover for the musketeers.

And the unique impatient nature of the Korean people allowed them to achieve a faster reloading speed than the musketeers of any other country.

* * *

The Portuguese ship loaded with the ordered guns, ancillary equipment, and other shipbuilding products set sail with minimal rest.

After receiving the report, Hyang looked at the ministers.

“Seeing how quickly they move, it looks like they have made up their minds.”

The ministers all nodded at Hyang’s words.

“That’s right.”

“I heard that the discord between Spain and Portugal has deepened, but it seems that Portugal has finally made up its mind.”

The local government and ministers expected that Portugal was about to engage in a confrontation with Spain.

This was because I had heard that the two countries and neighboring countries were going through a serious dispute over hegemony over the Mediterranean and African continents.

It was the most reasonable decision in a situation where we did not know what Florence’s Cosimo de’ Medici had secretly accomplished.

* * *

June, 28th year of King Sejong’s reign.

On the northeastern border of Joseon, the Oirat and Joseon forces were in contact.

“120 siege guns and 900 rounds of gunpowder.”

“Has confirmed. Here is the price.”

Representatives from Oirat and Joseon began to check the items brought by each other.

With Oirat warriors and Joseon cavalry glaring at each other surrounding the exchange site, the messengers from both sides, who had successfully completed the confirmation process, politely bowed.

“It was a good deal.”

“So do we. “I hope this will be of great help in catching the thieves.”

“thank you.”

After exchanging goodbyes, both sides turned their backs.

* * *

-The transaction with Oirat was completed successfully.

After receiving the report, Hyang looked at Heo Hu.

“Please organize the envoy group.”

“I plan to go myself.”

At Heo Hu’s answer, not only Hyang but all the ministers looked at Heo Hu with suspicious looks on their faces.

Heo Hu was the son of Heo Jo, who rose to the rank of Left State Councilor. As the son of Heo Jo, who was synonymous with ‘principle, principle, and always speak straight’, Heo Hu also had a strong side in that regard.

In the end, I had to ask about the fragrance out loud.

“I have to fool the emperor, is that okay?”

“You are not my emperor, so what are you worried about?”

Hyang felt reassured by Heo Hu’s answer and came to a conclusion.

“Please take care of me.”

* * *

Fifteen days later, He Hu visited the Forbidden City and spoke to Emperor Xuan De.

“You worked hard to get here with your old man.”

“Hwang Eun is devastated. Long live, long live, long live.”

Heo Hu looked at Emperor Seondeok’s complexion while chanting three cheers. Because it was impious to look directly at the face of a monarch, he looked at Emperor Seondeok’s complexion while chanting three cheers.

‘You look even worse than when I received the report.’

The look of sickness deepened on Emperor Seondeok’s face as he received Heo Hu’s courtesy.

“It hasn’t been long since a regular envoy visited, so what is the reason why an envoy who can be said to be Joseon’s royal envoy suddenly arrived? “Has something untoward occurred within Joseon?”

In response to Emperor Seondeok’s question, Heo Hu cautiously opened his mouth.

“Sosin has come personally because I have something important to report to Your Majesty regarding Oirat.”

At Heo Hu’s words, Emperor Seondeok, who was sitting leaning on the throne, straightened his body.

“Oiratwa? “Tell me what’s going on.”

“yes.”

At the command of Emperor Seondeok, Heo Hu reported selling artillery to Oirat.

“…Though it is an extremely small number of 120 gates, the Crown Prince sent a message because he was worried that it could be a cause for concern for the Shang Dynasty and that His Majesty might be uncomfortable with our Joseon Dynasty.”

“You mean the Crown Prince of Joseon sent you?”

“So it is.”

Among the subjects of the Ming Dynasty who were present in response to Heo Hu’s response, a letter of illness came forward.

“Your Majesty, I would like to ask the envoy of Joseon, so please allow me.”

“It’s okay.”

After obtaining permission from Emperor Seondeok, the sick letter was immediately submitted to Heo Hu.

“Why did Joseon sell so many artillery pieces, as many as 120 guns, to Oirat masters?”

When asked about the sick report, Heo Hu immediately accepted it.

“The number of 120 questions may seem like a lot, but it is not truly a large number! Even the smallest of the Joseon naval forces’ fronts carries 20 artillery pieces. “It’s only enough to arm 6 front-line ships, and even the 6 smallest front-line ships!”

The moment they heard Heo Hu’s answer, the Ming ministers, including Emperor Seondeok, nodded without realizing it.

‘Ah, these are the kind of people the Koreans were.’

* * *

In the eyes of Ming Dynasty people, ‘Joseon army = artillery’. Joseon was a country where at least 3 to 4 artillery pieces were deployed, no matter how small the garrison was.

The same was true in the case of the navy. The Joseon navy’s love of artillery was famous among the Ming Dynasty navy.

‘The Joseon navy are the ones who would load artillery on a raft if they could.’

* * *

“Since they said, ‘We want to purchase artillery to suppress the bandits who are damaging their trade,’ our Joseon Dynasty had no justification not to sell! And that number was only 120. However, because Oirat may make a foolish decision and become a cause for concern for the country, I am informing Your Majesty!”

In response to Heo Hu’s claims, the military inspector had to keep quiet. This was because the justification was clear and it was difficult to refute the statement that the number was not large by Korean standards.

“Please step down from your illness. It is true that there is no injustice in the envoy’s words.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Emperor Seondeok, who handed over the sick note, asked Heo Hu.

“So the crown prince of Joseon sent an envoy?”

“yes.”

“Are you afraid we might misunderstand?”

“yes.”

“Then didn’t you think that it would have been better to tell us before selling? “He doesn’t look like the famous Crown Prince of Joseon.”

Emperor Seondeok’s words were mixed with suspicion and sarcasm. It was a suspicion that it was suspicious that Hyang, who was known to be smart, had made this decision, and a sarcasm that if it was true, it was worse than the rumor.

Heo Hu immediately responded to Emperor Seondeok’s words.

“The Crown Prince said this. ‘Joseon is a small country. Shouldn’t we take care of the wealth we can get?’”

“Puhahahaha!”

As soon as Heo Hu finished answering, Emperor Seondeok burst into laughter. Seon Deok-je, who laughed to the point of tears, answered while wiping away the tears from his eyes.

“He’s like the rumored crown prince. He looks like a crown prince. Whoa~.”

After catching his breath from all the laughter, Emperor Seondeok spoke to Heo Hu.

“Hear the envoy and tell it to the crown prince. It is truly thankful and beautiful that the crown prince is concerned about the worries of his superiors. Also, working hard to enrich the country is also a beautiful thing. However, always keep in mind the saying, “So-tam-da-sil.” “Preach these words without fail.”

Heo Hu bowed his head in response to Emperor Seondeok’s command.

“I will certainly do so.”

After hearing Heo Hu’s answer, Emperor Seondeok made a decision.

“good night. I will not blame Joseon for this incident. But remember, there is no next time.”

“I will keep this in mind! “Long live, long live, long live!”

* * *

After finishing their business, Hehu and his party left the Forbidden City with minimal rest. That night, Emperor Seondeok smiled as he looked at the map hanging in his room.

“It seems like the crown prince of Joseon has put his mind to it, and it seems like a good opportunity for me as well.”

Emperor Seondeok’s gaze was fixed on the fluctuations of the map.

“Thanks to Oirat’s movement, it looks like a tailwind is starting to blow. Hopefully, we’ll be able to deal with all the troubles at once.”