Black Corporation: Joseon

Chapter 541

Episode 541 Conspiracy (7)

As everyone from the king to nobles and ministers supported Pedro, things began to progress quickly.

First, the size of the kingdom’s army was greatly expanded. Rather than hiring large numbers of mercenaries like before, the size of the regular army was expanded.

The biggest background that made this possible was the purge of the nobles carried out by Pedro.

Starting with the Duke of Braganza, the kingdom’s most powerful nobles were purged, and not only mainland Portugal but also all colonial territories in Africa became the property of the kingdom. With the creation of a huge source of income, the ability to operate a large regular army was secured.

In addition, most of the private soldiers of the purged nobles were absorbed into the regular army, increasing both quantity and quality.

In the process of this growth, new firearms began to be supplied from Joseon and Italy.

“It’s the same Seo Seong-style gun, but there’s a big difference.”

Pedro, who looked at the Joseon and Italian products side by side, could not hide his disappointment.

The captain of Pedro’s personal guard, standing next to Pedro, explained the problem to Pedro.

“Things made in Italy are larger and heavier than those made in Korea.”

“What’s the range like?”

“It is superior to the existing one, but falls short of the Joseon-made one.”

“Hmm…”

Pedro, who was looking at the Italian-made firearm while groaning softly, could not hide his regret.

“That’s half-baked… What’s the price?”

“For the price of buying one sack of Joseon-made, you can buy three sacks.”

Upon hearing the guard captain’s report, Pedro looked back at Cosimo standing next to him.

“Is it impossible to improve it a little more?”

“It’s impossible in a short period of time. “This is my best effort.”

Cosimo’s words were sincere.

Of the 200 bags handed over to Pedro, 20 were removed and attempted to be duplicated. However, the replication failed due to the vicious black box planted by Hyang.

“What should I do with this?…”

While struggling with the continued failure, one craftsman brought about a change of idea.

“Hey guys. What about this?”

“What do you mean?”

“I wasn’t sure about the proper internal structure, but didn’t I know how it moves and starts the fire? If so, then we are planning the framework.”

“huh?”

“It’s impossible to make it exactly the same, but don’t you think it would take a little research to make it do the same thing?”

“Just… just…”

After hearing the suggestion, the craftsmen began to think deeply. The craftsmen thought for a while and soon nodded.

“I see. “It might be possible.”

“I think that would be best.”

“Let’s give it a try!”

The craftsmen agreed to the new proposal and immediately began research. And soon enough, I was able to get decent results.

The reason they were able to achieve results so quickly was thanks to the experience they had accumulated while making arquebuses and muskets.

*

…

In Europe, it was initially a similar method, but over time they began to combine crossbow triggers.

And over time, muskets and arquebuses that combined spring and lever triggers were created.

And this accumulated experience produced results that were different from those of Ming.

After a series of failures, unlike the Ming Dynasty and Central Asia, which introduced Europe’s delayed launch method, Europe evolved on its own to a rapid launch method like Joseon.

*

…

Florentine craftsmen, who did not have the technology to produce and process steel as advanced as shipbuilding, had no choice but to make and use larger and thicker parts.

And the most important thing, the barrel, was also made by rolling iron plates, a method that Hyang used in the early days.

As these results combined, the weight of the fire-type rifles made in Florence was much heavier than those made in Joseon. Therefore, Italian-made rifles had to be operated with a monopod like existing muskets.

However, thanks to the barrel carefully refined by Florentine craftsmen who were inspired by the Joseon-made Suseok-style gun, it had a better range and accuracy than existing muskets or arquebuses.

* * *

After hearing Cosimo’s explanation, Pedro stroked his chin and was lost in thought. After thinking for a while, Pedro finally came to a conclusion.

“I guess I’ll have to place an additional order from Joseon.”

Cosimo asked those words with a serious face.

“So you’re saying you won’t use long guns made in Florence? “Wouldn’t there be a cost and time problem?”

Pedro shook his head in response to Cosimo’s question.

“That’s not it. The long guns you brought with you are also excellent. But the weight is the problem. That weight is suitable for defense, but it is difficult to move quickly. “I think it would be better to give Korean-made long guns to troops who can move quickly and inflict damage.”

Pedro participated in several armed conflicts, including the Reconquista. Through that experience, Pedro, who was well aware of the need for a unit with both mobility and firepower, decided to supply two types of long guns according to the mission.

And Pedro’s experience prompted him to order another item from Cosimo.

“And what’s going on with the cannon I was talking about earlier?”

“It has already started production and we will be receiving prototypes soon. But…”

Cosimo paused for a moment and continued speaking in a voice full of concern.

“But can such a small cannon really be useful?”

Cosimo’s face as he asked the question was filled with genuine concern.

Pedro gave a short answer to Cosimo’s question.

“They said Joseon-made cannons aren’t that big.”

* * *

The cannons of Europe and the Middle East during this period were literally cannons.

The role of cannons during this period was as a siege weapon to destroy castle walls. Because of this, the cannons boasted a huge size. Not long ago, a cannon made in England boasted a caliber of 20 inches.

Naturally, the large and heavy cannons had poor usability and their value as a force decreased. Excluding siege wars, even in actual siege wars, the effect was often minimal.

The most obvious example was the Battle of Alhubarota in 1385, where Spain had 16 large sandstone cannons, but the victor was Portugal, which did not have a single cannon. (Note 1)

Despite these examples, countries in Europe and the Middle East preferred heavy artillery. This naturally led to budget constraints, and even if artillery was operated on a large scale, it was limited to a few dozen guns.

However, as trade with Joseon progressed, Pedro clapped his hands in admiration as he read reports about the challenger-level front he saw in Suez and the Korean artillery he encountered on the Korean mainland.

“This is it! There is no need to insist on big cannons! Enter the battle with a large number of small but highly mobile cannons! “This is the correct answer!”

And Pedro had ordered from Cosimo light artillery that could be mounted on a cart and moved quickly.

In history before the intervention of Fragrance, it appeared 50 years earlier than the French army of Charles VIII, which invaded Italy in 1494. (Note 2)

* * *

In the process of preparing for war step by step, the problem that Pedro and Portugal were most concerned about was their arch enemy, Spain.

Portugal could not properly wage war unless Spain, or more specifically the United Kingdom of Castanya and Aragon, was tied up. If we made a mistake, the worst outcome could have been that we would have to make major concessions to the Ottomans in the subsequent process of dividing the shares or maintain the current situation with only losses.

Pedro, who returned to the office, pointed this out to Cosimo.

“Have you found a way to tie Spain’s ankles?”

Cosimo answered Pedro’s question right away.

“France will move.”

“France?”

After hearing Cosimo’s answer, Pedro immediately nodded.

“Thank goodness.”

France was a military power. Although the war with Britain was not yet over, the end of the war was almost certain. Because of this, France was able to utilize its powerful military power.

In addition, there were several disputes with Spain over border territory, and they were still snarling at each other.

“The exact date of the start of the war was not given, but as soon as the Duke and Osman begin work, the border area between Spain and France will become very noisy. And I have even received a promise to provide military support if necessary.”

“Good.”

Pedro filled the wine in a Joseon-made crystal glass and handed it to Cosimo.

“Once long guns and cannons are properly supplied in Florence, the final card will be fulfilled. So we have to send it properly.”

“Don’t worry.”

After hearing Cosimo’s confirmation, the two raised a toast. Pedro smiled as he looked at the crystal glass sparkling in the candlelight.

“It shines brighter today.”

* * *

One year later, in March, the 29th year of King Sejong’s reign (1447, the year of Jeongmyo).

Portuguese troops landed on the west coast of Alexandria.

At about the same time, the Ottoman Empire began its advance toward Lebanon.

As soon as April entered, France began an armed conflict along the border with Spain.

An international war later called ‘World War I’ broke out.

* * *

When war broke out in the Mediterranean region, Joseon fell into its sphere of influence.

“The trade route to Alexandria is blocked!”

After receiving the urgent report, Hyang immediately gave orders to the ministers.

“We need to get as much information as possible! Also, there may be an impact on trade routes between Tianchu and other regions, so special caution is needed!”

“I follow your orders!”

Ministers and officials moved quickly at the direction of the village.

Meanwhile, the merchants who heard the rumor looked perplexed.

“War! “What a mess!”

“I made a lot of things to send to Alexandria!”

Meanwhile, those who invested in the ‘Adventure Capital Safe’ were also in an uproar.

“I heard that the trade route to the west is blocked. Should I recover my investment?”

“How about watching a little more?”

“Wouldn’t it be better to take it out now?”

The Jeonju owners who had put money in the safe gathered in groups of twos and threes and struggled to find the correct answer.

After hearing the report related to this, Hyang immediately summoned Hwang Hee and Minister of Finance and Economy Jeom Kim to talk.

“If you do it wrong, a bunch of money can come out of the safe and cause a mess! We need to do something about this!”

Hwang Hee looked back at Kim Jeom after hearing Hyang point out.

“What percentage of our Joseon’s external trade does the West Region account for now?”

“About 305p.”

“It’s pretty big…”

Hwang Hee muttered in an embarrassed tone. Hyang continued to ask the question again.

“Is all of that 30% going to Europe?”

“No. About 20% goes to Europe, and the remaining 10% goes to countries near Alexandria.”

“Hmm…”

Hyang thought for a moment and came to a conclusion.

“Let’s use Aden.”

“You mean Aden?”

* * *

While Joseon was frantically trying to find a solution, there was someone who smiled in remorse.

It was Seondeokje.

“It’s finally time to deal with the troubles.”

* * *

Note 1) Cannon Sailing Ship Empire.

By Carlo Cipolla. Mizzy Books

Note 2) Cannon Sailing Ship Empire. Written by Carlo Cipola, Midge Books