Black Corporation: Joseon

Chapter 827

Episode 827: Gyeruk (1)

At this time, European shipbuilding technology was developing explosively.

It was a change that was at least 100 years faster than the history before the intervention of incense.

As expected, in the background of this, the empire ultimately had its place.

Before Hyang intervened, most of Europe’s ships were divided into galleys in the Mediterranean region and cog ships in the North Sea region.

Cog ships were widely used in Northern Europe, where they had to deal with the rough seas of the North Sea and North Atlantic, while galleys were active as a center of trade in the famously calm Mediterranean region.

Karak and Caravel were born in this situation where development was divided into two branches.

Without Hyang’s intervention, it would have taken nearly 100 years for Galleon to emerge from this situation.

This was due to technical limitations and limitations in the amount of information.

This was because the existence of a new continent, which had not been known until then, was discovered, and as voyages became longer and trade volume increased, larger and larger ships were needed.

However, this changed with the intervention of incense.

* * *

After Joseon, which was called the ‘land of flowers,’ many merchants from Europe flocked to Alexandria as imperial goods were released to Europe.

And naturally, interest in the ‘land of flowers’ that produces these amazing objects has increased.

In such an atmosphere, the letters sent by monks and scholars who entered the ‘Land of Flowers’ all contained stories about ships used by the ‘Land of Flowers’ navy.

-A ship that is bigger, faster, and more powerful than any ship you’ve ever been on.

“What does the badge look like?”

Those who were curious crossed the desert and headed to Suez.

But the first to move were Portuguese and Italian shipbuilders.

“I can’t believe it…”

Portuguese and Italian shipbuilding engineers, who had soared their pride while building the carrack and caravel, which were proud of being the best performance at the time, were greatly frustrated when they saw the challenger-class ships anchored in Suez. did.

“It wasn’t just a bluff….”

European shipbuilding engineers, shocked by the sight of Challenger-class battleships, soon began improving carracks and caravels based on these.

And their challenge was welcomed by the ruling classes of Portugal, Spain and Italy.

This was because the bigger and more powerful ships were, the greater profits could be made from African trade.

* * *

With the solid support of the ruling class, European shipbuilders devoted all their energy to developing a new ship – a challenger-class battleship, to be precise.

But this was by no means an easy task.

The ship that Hyang built to the fullest of his abilities was a challenger-level battleship.

Of course, it was within the scope of what was possible with the technological level of Joseon at the time, but if necessary, the fragrance boldly incorporated what could be called ‘over-technology’.

The appearance of the Challenger-class battleship created in this way was close to that of the late or early Galleon battleships. But inside, it was a monster similar to a later battleship.

It was impossible for European shipbuilding engineers to immediately catch up with such a monster at a time when Karak and Caravel were the latest.

European shipbuilding engineers, who realized that the work was not easy with their own abilities, began to look for auxiliary means.

“Let’s recruit shipbuilding engineers from the ‘land of flowers!’”

“If possible, let’s recruit the person who designed that ship in the first place!”

But even this was not an easy task.

There were two shipyards in Wonsan and Dongbing Port that built Challenger-class battleships. And security was tight here.

Even though it was difficult to contact the engineers, all of the ‘Flower Country’ engineers shook their heads.

“I don’t want to go.”

“Any amount of money….”

“Money is not the problem; you will be caught and punished for treason. “I can never go.”

“Then can you tell me who designed that ship?”

“Count me to sleep.”

“Let’s count?”

The word ‘seja’ refers to incense and when Europeans learned what incense was made and distributed, they could not keep their mouths shut.

“This was all done by one person?”

“Is the prince of this country a monster?”

* * *

European shipbuilders who failed to find auxiliary means had no choice but to follow the rules.

Camped in Suez, I sketched thoroughly the appearance of the challenger-class battle lines. Others disguised themselves as merchants and boarded the ship to inspect its interior.

Of course, the Empire’s sailors were not fools, so they thoroughly prevented anyone from entering the most critical part of the battle line.

Nevertheless, European engineers who had obtained some information began building new ships based on this information.

In this way, ship development in Europe was accelerated by about 100 years.

This was a remarkable result among countries excluding the Empire and Ming.

The empire was already several steps ahead, and he was a man who steadily evolved junk ships.

Japan, which had poor shipbuilding technology compared to the Empire and Ming, ended up recruiting European shipbuilding engineers by paying extremely high prices.

After receiving this report, Hyang shook his head and muttered to himself.

“Back then it was a rifle, but this time it’s a boat?”

* * *

“Hmm… Japan is trying to bring in shipbuilding engineers from Europe to build ships capable of long-distance voyages… And when such long-distance voyages become possible, they will choose to move south?”

“That’s right.”

“Hmm… Namjin… Namjin…”

Wan, who was pondering the word ‘Namjin’ with a serious face, asked Hwang Bo-in.

“Last time I heard, didn’t you say that Europeans are heading south as well as west?”

“yes. “Such intelligence continues to come in.”

Wan, who thought about something in Hwang Bo-in’s answer, asked again with a more serious expression.

“Could it be that… ‘Operation Gyeruk’ has already begun?”

“No. ‘Operation Gyeruk’ still exists only as a document.”

“Then how?”

“It seems like it ignited on its own, just like you said.”

“You combusted yourself?”

“That’s right.”

“Hmm…”

In response to Hwang Bo-in, Wan stroked his chin and was lost in thought.

* * *

After King Sejong advocated for active foreign trade, the Joseon navy continued to secure maritime supremacy and explore sea routes.

In particular, after building a military port in Temasek (now Singapore) and seizing control of the Strait of Malacca, the navy searched the surrounding area more actively.

Paradoxically, those who provided the greatest help to the Joseon navy at this time were Chinese who had taken root in Melaka, Malaya, Sumatra, and Luzon.

Overseas Chinese moved actively in their greed to be able to trade Joseon’s products.

The most useful help provided by the Chinese was the information about the surrounding area that they had recorded for generations.

Based on the data obtained from the Chinese, the Joseon navy was able to conduct more efficient exploration.

As the data analysis and exploration progressed, new reports came to King Sejong and Hyang.

-There are rumors going around that there is a huge land in the south.

-It is highly credible as similar stories exist among different indigenous tribes.

After making a fortune like this, ‘Give me the budget. Please give me a boat. Sejong looked back after reviewing the report that was full of whining saying, “Please give me someone.”

“What do you think?”

“What do you plan to do, Abama?”

After thinking for a while, Sejong told Hyang about his decision.

“Now, Joseon is already focusing a lot of effort on new land. It is difficult to reach all the way to the south. “What do you think?”

“I think too much is too little.”

“huh?”

Sejong looked surprised at Hyang’s answer.

“That’s unexpected. “I can’t believe the guy who worked so hard to lead the way when Shinji was discovered is now trying to save himself.”

“It still feels like a waste. But why did the saying ‘too much is too little’ come about?”

“That’s right.”

In this way, King Sejong did not allow ‘southern exploration’.

The later forgotten ‘Southern Exploration’ surfaced again when Joseon was transformed into an empire and Hyang was slowly trying to hand over the throne to Wan.

-Now, new land development is continuing stably.

-Then, now we have to search the southern room where we have been staying for a while.

-Europeans are already traveling around Africa and arriving in Luzon.

-If Europeans hear rumors about a continent to the south, they will immediately flock there.

-If a continent truly exists in the south and Europeans take control of it, it would be a great loss to the national interests of the empire.

-We must resume exploration now.

-So, give me money, give me people, give me a boat.

“What do you think?”

Wan, who had been thinking deeply about Hyang’s question, carefully opened his mouth.

“Unfortunately, I don’t think it’s possible right now.”

“The reason is?”

“Although the development of Shinji is continuing stably, it still requires a lot of wealth and people. “The cost of the exploration itself is a problem, but it will also be a problem even if the continent is truly discovered.”

“So it’s impossible?”

“That’s right. “Maybe Soja thought wrong?”

When Wan looked at Hyang’s thoughts, Hyang smiled slightly and answered.

“It is the same idea that luggage is also impossible. But the reason is a little different.”

“What is the reason?”

Hyang immediately answered Wan’s question.

“Not if there is actually a continent there. You said there were a lot of natives, so there must be. If so, that place will become a curse for the empire.”

“What do you mean? I’m sorry to inform you, but I don’t know why. “Wouldn’t it be better for us to take the lead?”

“There are times when it is more beneficial to throw away something than to keep it. “The rumored Southern Continent is like that.”

Hyang explained the reason to Wan.

-If the rumored Southern Continent exists, the route to get there is a problem.

Although our empire clearly controls the southwestern provinces, large and small sultanates and tribes have already established themselves in southern Luzon. It would cost a lot of money to establish or subdue diplomatic relations with each of them, but maintaining it afterwards would also cost a lot of money.

-Because, as you said, European powers have entered Luzon. Things get complicated when they incite the natives or the sultans to turn against the empire.

This is different from Shinji.

“Ah…”

At Hyang’s words, Wan nodded as if he finally understood.

The route from the empire’s headquarters to the new world belonged solely to the empire. However, several countries had already established themselves on the route to Suez.

“It’s not just that. Humans are greedy animals. And in order to satisfy greed, it is common for even enemies to join hands.”

“Even enemies join hands…”

Wan, who had been pondering Hyang’s words carefully, looked at Hyang with surprised eyes.

“no way! Are you saying that several countries will join forces to invade the empire?”

Hyang nodded and accepted Wan’s words.

“It is quite possible. If the empire has too much, or takes over everything that is beneficial, they will unite and try to bite our empire. No matter how powerful the empire is, if it joins forces like that, it will inevitably fall. So, all we have to do is throw away the gyereuk and take only the most delicious parts. “Those hungry wolves will fight among themselves to take over that throne.”

“Ah…”

Wan nodded at Hyang’s explanation.