Black Corporation: Joseon

Chapter 574

Episode 574: Go to war! Assault Return (6)

The battle that lasted half a day ended around sunset.

It was a major battle that later came to be called the ‘Great Battle of the West Sea’.

As a side note, in the distant future, this ‘Great Battle of the West Sea’ became the most frequently used material for movies and dramas.

While the few large and medium ships that barely survived fled in haste with the small ships, the Joseon fleet regrouped and began post-processing.

They lowered the small ships attached to the battle lines to rescue the still surviving and struggling Ming navy or to collect trophies such as the military banners of the Ming navy.

While the small wires were moving, the inside of the wire was also busy.

The remaining spent propellant gunpowder batteries were collected and stored separately, and the fuses of the artillery shells were separated and stored separately.

At the front line damaged by the Myeongsu Army’s artillery bombardment, soldiers clung to the damaged area and provided first aid more thoroughly.

The Gyeonggi investigation officer, who saw the signals displayed by the wires being repaired, shook his head lightly.

“There are a lot of damaged ships.”

The captain received a comment in the evaluation of the game investigation.

“But aren’t there any sunken battle lines? Since the enemies are also armed with artillery, I believe damage is inevitable. “And the enemies were not a ragtag group of pirates like the pirates we had dealt with so far.”

At the captain’s words, Gyeonggi Sousa nodded silently.

* * *

The Ming Dynasty navy we faced this time was definitely elite. Although they were under heavy bombardment by the Joseon Navy and saw friendly ships around them burning or sinking, they fought to the end.

As the flagship sank during the battle, control became difficult and they attacked fiercely until the formation collapsed due to Maeng Jin-ho’s struggles.

In addition, the naval guns mounted on the Ming Front were quite powerful. Of course, the range was much shorter than that of the Joseon Dynasty, but its power could never be underestimated.

It was a double hull, including the challenger-class front and the sea emergency front. It was a method of further strengthening strength by constructing a double layer of boards made of not only hard Geumgang pine but also densely structured coniferous trees grown in the coniferous forest area of the northeast, with the wood grains intersecting at a 45-degree angle.

However, in this battle, damage was done to such a strong hull.

Ironically, the Joseon Dynasty was the cause of the Ming Dynasty’s naval guns becoming more powerful.

Because they had to deal with Joseon, who were evaluated as ‘those who are crazy about artillery,’ Ming’s artillery naturally became stronger.

* * *

The Gyeonggi investigation officer, who was nodding his head at the captain’s words, caught the eye of Maeng Jin-ho, who was passing by.

During the battle, the roof and side windows, which had been closed tightly, were wide open, and laughter and singing were coming out of Maengjinho.

“You guys are so excited….”

“Aren’t you the number one contributor to today’s battle?”

“That’s not true.”

The Gyeonggi investigator, who was looking at Maeng Jin-ho with a slight smile, looked back at the captain.

“When raising the general level, I will ask you to come up with a plan to strengthen the armor of the front lines. Not only are we and the Ming using artillery, but it is certain that other countries’ artillery will also become stronger. We need to strengthen our armor and improve the performance of our artillery.”

The captain asked cautiously in response to the Gyeonggi investigation’s words.

“Would the Ministry of Finance say it’s good?”

“….”

* * *

The general report written by the Gyeonggi monk immediately arrived in Hanseong.

“Great victory! “The navy has achieved a great victory!”

Jo Mal-saeng shouted excitedly and submitted the general order to Hyang. And the official who followed Jo Mal-saeng submitted the manuscripts of Janggye to other ministers.

“Oh oh! “What a blessing!”

“This is something that needs to be widely known to the people!”

The ministers who read the general report reporting Mahaseung made suggestions to Hyang with bright faces for the first time in a long time.

There was not a single Joseon citizen who did not know that a war was currently taking place between Ming and Joseon.

People gathered in small groups in each neighborhood and market place, talking about the current situation with faces full of worry.

“Should I pack this?…”

“Is there a squire who has been begging for three generations like this? The country is in danger, but we are just sitting there trying to figure out how to survive! Neighborhood people! “Bring a mat!”

“I’m kidding, I’m kidding!”

“There’s something else to joke about!”

Although there were still no major problems due to loyalty to King Sejong and his hometown, the people were very anxious.

In this situation, the public’s anxiety could be calmed if the Joseon navy’s great victory was announced.

After receiving the suggestions from the ministers, Hyang nodded.

“Then let’s do it. “I will print this warning and post it in all government offices throughout Joseon… I will send this warning directly to Abamama in Shinji.”

“What a good decision!”

The ministers all bowed their heads in response to the village’s decision.

The meeting, which started with such a warm atmosphere, soon turned cold.

It started with Kimjeom.

“Do you think that strengthening the armor of the front lines and improving the artillery to be mounted on the front lines is absolutely necessary right now, as stated in the Minister of National Defense’s general announcement?”

“If not right now, I think it will be needed soon.”

“That’s the problem sooner or later. Considering the current war costs and material consumption, it will be a considerable amount of time before this war can be restored to normal. But soon… how about we just change it to the future?”

Jo Mal-saeng’s face turned red at Kim Jeom’s suggestion.

“Our Ministry of Defense is also not unaware of governance issues. However, as it is written in the chapter, the Ming and other countries with artillery are gradually making stronger artillery. So we can’t just sit still, can we?”

“It’s not that you don’t know that! “We just want to give ourselves a little more time!”

The war of words between Kim Jeom, who held the key to the storehouse, and Jo Mal-saeng, who needed the treasure’s wealth, continued fiercely.

In the end, incense intervened in the war of words that drew parallel lines.

“I think the opinion of the Minister of Finance and Economy is reasonable this time. First of all, although the artillery of Ming and other countries is said to be becoming more powerful, they are still far behind. So, I think there is enough time.”

At Hyang’s decision, Jo Mal-saeng looked like he was chewing an astringent persimmon, and Kim Jeom’s face brightened.

However, the two people’s expressions changed to the opposite after hearing Hyang’s next words.

“And strengthening the armor of the front lines is also not possible now. First of all, I think the defense capabilities of the challenger-class and sea emergency fronts are still sufficient. Next, I think the framework of the two fronts is too weak to protect against iron armor. “I think we need to rethink it from the very beginning.”

This was an illusion of scent.

* * *

In history before the intervention of Hyang, ironclad ships began with existing battleships clad in iron armor and equipped with steam engines.

The frame of a large ship like a battleship was strong enough to withstand even the addition of a considerable thickness of iron armor.

Although it was smaller than the ships of the line, it was a challenger-class and sea emergency battle line equipped with 21st century technology.

But even as a scent, there was something to be said.

‘How much money did it cost to pull out those ships! Losses during battle are unavoidable, but we must avoid turning them into scrap metal through unnecessary efforts!’

* * *

Kim Jeom asked with a white face at Hyang’s words.

“If you’re going to make a new skeleton, do you plan on making a new front line like the assault return line?”

“maybe?”

Kim Jeom immediately responded to Hyang’s answer.

“Why don’t we just put steel plates on the challenger-level and emergency fronts?”

“As I just said, there are many problems…”

“If you look at what is written in the account, there are cracks, but no holes have been made and no ships have sunk. As you said, this means that the defense power of the challenger-level front and the sea emergency front is excellent, so wouldn’t it be okay to thin the thickness of the steel plate? “I think it would be best to add gloves without putting too much strain on the skeleton.”

“Then there’s the problem of mobility…”

“Just add a steam engine and you’ve got it!”

“Hmm…”

After thinking for a while, Hyang eventually accepted Kim Jeom’s opinion.

“Then let’s do it. “Once this war is over, we can start making improvements, right?”

Kim Jeom immediately responded to Hyang’s suggestion by bowing his head.

“What a wise decision!”

Afterwards, the meeting continued with additional agenda items related to this war and agenda items related to the people’s livelihood.

Kim Jeom, who finished the ritual and left Seunghwadang, looked back at Seunghwadang with a disappointed look on his face before he could even take 10 steps.

“I got hit!”

Hwang Hee, who was watching Kim Jeom from the side, clicked her tongue and said.

“Tsk! “Have you forgotten that you are the heir of someone’s blood?”

“Huh… such a poor person…”

Kim Jong-seo, who was watching Kim Jeom blaming himself like that, muttered softly.

“I guess this is why the name Josammosa came from…”

Meanwhile, Hyang, sitting alone in Seunghwadang, was licking his appetite with a face full of regret.

“It’s a shame. If done well, it was a good case that would serve as a good example…”

It was a typical example of the same dream.

No, it was the harmful effects of the stereotypes that were created while suffering from Sejong and Hyang.

* * *

Two days later, the ministers gathered at Seunghwadang again at the call of Hyang.

Hyang, who had gathered the ministers, got straight to the point.

“The plan that Han Myeong-hoe had been working on while going back and forth between the Japanese countries has finally come to fruition.”

Hwang Hee asked with a bright face after hearing Hyang’s words.

“Why did your country decide to send troops?”

“That’s right.”

“How much are you sending?”

“100,000.”

As soon as she heard the word ‘100,000’, Hwang Hee’s face became even brighter.

“If they move properly, the Ming Dynasty will not be able to send troops south of the Yangtze River north!”

Following Hwang Hee’s words, Jo Mal-saeng spoke.

“I guess so. “If our help is added, someone will vomit blood.”

“I guess so.”

* * *

Five days later, the sea off Jindo.

Nearly a hundred ships were moving together.

These were the battle lines carrying the troops of the Japanese lords who had dispatched troops under the order of the Ouchi shogunate, and the fleet of Gyeongsang Usuyeong, the Joseon navy, that escorted them.

The Japanese-Japanese combined fleet was advancing northwest, aiming for the Shandong Peninsula.

On the stern deck of the flagship carrying Gyeongsang Usa, Gyeongsang Usa and Ouchi Norihiro were having a conversation.

“I heard that you achieved a great victory not long ago. “We are reducing it.”

At Norihiro’s words, Gyeongsang Usa shook his head.

“This is nothing but excessive praise as it is not a great victory achieved by the main building. Thanks to you, I feel very sorry. Our Gyeongsang Woo Soo-young should have participated in the war….”

“Wouldn’t it be okay if you make a contribution this time?”

At Norihiro’s words, the Gyeongsang Master smiled broadly and nodded.

“ha ha ha! That’s right! Well said! Just make a big contribution this time! It seems like Gadok (the person who will inherit the family) has also taken a good opportunity this time!”

“That’s right.”

For this invasion, the Daenae clan mobilized 5,000 troops, and Norihiro was the commander leading them.

“What do you mean it’s only 5,000?!”

“Isn’t it a trap!”

Other lords – especially those on the opposing side in the previous civil war – protested against this, but Mochiyo made a different move.

– Instead, I will send Norihiro, a German, to the war.

– The area of activity will be limited to the Shandong Peninsula.

On the one hand, the lords were appalled by Mochiyo’s proposal, but on the other hand, they still remained suspicious.

“Aren’t they trying to use us as a desertion by taking advantage of us going inland?”

In response to the lords’ suspicions, Mochiyo introduced Han Myeong-hoe.

“It was sent by the crown prince of Joseon.”

Han Myeong-hoe, who appeared like that, promised to escort the Joseon navy.

“Of course, you have to get paid.”

“how much?”

“50% of the loot.”

The lords who heard Han Myeong-hoe’s words immediately began calculating.

‘50% is a bit much….’

‘But if you are escorted by the Joseon navy…’

‘If you do it well, it is an opportunity to acquire enormous wealth!’

After various profit and loss calculations, the lords joined hands with Joseon and Mochiyo.

There were 100,000 troops who went out with the dream of making a fortune.