Black Corporation: Joseon

Chapter 884

Episode 884: Generation Change (15)

The chiclo-rimmed wheels and the rolling car were the beginning.

After that, various objects made of chiclo appeared, and the eyes of the prefects and ministers sparkled.

Among those objects, there were some that caught the eye of Jang Hang-seon and the Minister of National Defense.

What they coveted were the buffer plate on the back of the stock, raincoats, and military boots.

Jang Hang-seon, who was examining the butt stock cushioning, looked back at the Minister of National Defense.

“Starting from the Battle of Liaodong in the past and continuing even now, do you know how to pick out cowards?”

In response to Jang Hang-seon’s question, the Minister of National Defense nodded.

“I know very well. “After the battle, you take off your jeogori and check your shoulders.”

The bullet of the long gun used by the Imperial Army had a power intermediate between the 7.62mm NATO and 30-06 bullets.

In the open plains and desert areas west of Lake Baikal, which are still being explored in the northern and Mongolian border areas, bullets capable of striking long distances were essential. Also, in Shinji, powerful bullets were needed to deal with large beasts of prey and natives who hid in the jungle and made surprise attacks.

Therefore, the imperial army’s bullets had no choice but to be powerful.

Of course, as powerful as it was, the recoil was considerable, and when you looked at the soldiers after the battle, the part of the shoulder where the butt had been applied had turned red.

And taking advantage of this, a custom was created among soldiers to single out cowards who could not even shoot properly.

While listening to the story between Jang Hang-seon and the Minister of National Defense, Hyang muttered to himself.

‘There were similar scenes in movies I saw in the 21st century.’

There was a similar scene in a war movie about the Spanish Civil War. A similar thing happened among the Republican soldiers who had finished the battle, and it was a scene where a soldier with good shoulders was being criticized.

Meanwhile, one of the ministers who was listening to the conversation between Jang Hang-seon and the Minister of National Defense pretended to know something.

“By the way. “If that plate made of chiclo reduces shock, wouldn’t it be a disadvantage in close combat?”

In response to that question, Jang Hang-seon and the Minister of National Defense both looked astonished.

“Why do you fight hand-to-hand?”

“Why do we have to fight hand-to-hand? One of the tenets of the Imperial Army is to ‘avoid close combat as much as possible.’ The imperial army is already short on men, so fighting in hand-to-hand combat? “Why do we have artillery?”

“Ah… But there is one possibility…”

“It is the commander’s responsibility to avoid that one possibility.”

“…I made a mistake.”

“Tsk!”

“Tsk!”

Jang Hang-seon and the Minister of National Defense, who were clicking their tongues with uncomfortable expressions, turned pale for a moment.

‘Who are you sticking your tongue in front of now!’

When it comes to ‘clicking one’s tongue’, the person who can be said to be the originator along with King Sejong was standing right in front of us.

However, the fragrance did not show any particular reaction and the two people let out a small sigh of relief.

The raincoat modeled after the 21st century engineer raincoat and the raincoat modeled after the officer raincoat also received favorable reviews.

“Type A raincoat looks comfortable to move around in and won’t get your limbs wet, so I think it would be good during battle or while working.”

“I agree. “Type B’s raincoat has the same appearance as the imperial army’s long guns (trench coats), so I think it would be good to use it as a uniform.”

But it was the military boots with rubber heels and soles that received the most praise.

“I don’t know anything else, but I think this must be introduced first and foremost!”

“I’m getting it back!”

After seeing the military boots, Jang Hang-seon and the Minister of National Defense shouted for ‘unconditional employment’.

Among the things the Imperial Army, especially its infantrymen, hated most, was marching.

Regardless of history or country, there were no soldiers who liked marching. Even the Roman army was nicknamed ‘Marius’ mules’.

Military boots also played a role in the imperial army’s dislike of marching.

The soles of the Imperial Army’s military boots made of leather were made by selecting the toughest part of cowhide and layering it on top of each other.

The problem was next.

To ensure adhesion and durability, military boot craftsmen put a huge number of studs on the soles.

The problem was that these studs did not help the feet of soldiers on the march. So, some soldiers wore thick straw sandals over their military boots before going on a march.

However, the military boots made by Hyang used rubber soles and minimized the use of studs. The thick, uneven sole was much more comfortable than the studded leather sole.

‘Even so, military boots are military boots and no soldier likes marching.’

After observing the reactions of Jang Hang-seon and the Minister of National Defense, the county made a decision right away.

“Let’s just adopt the military-related items among the items that have been released so far.”

Han Myeong-hoe stepped forward and responded to the county’s decision.

“This is truly a reasonable decision.”

* * *

After a short break, Hyang’s presentation continued.

Lim Soon-wook asked Hyang with an expression that said something was a little lacking.

“Of all the things that have come out so far, it seems that the only things that can tempt the people are wheels and rolling wheels. “Do you have anything else?”

“huh? “I think raincoats and military boots are okay?”

In response to Hyang’s rebuttal, Lim Soon-wook pointed out the problem.

“I buy good things in return. However, while it is tailored to the needs of the military, there are some parts that do not fully suit the needs of the people. At least A’s raincoat looks good, but the rest is a bit…”

‘Don’t you know the military look? Wait… The military look is also close to the realm of virtue.’

Hyang nodded and opened his mouth.

“Good point. So, there are a few things I have prepared separately. shell.”

“yes.”

“From now on, all the boxes are small, so open them all at once.”

“yes.”

At Hyang’s gesture, the naeggwan began to open the remaining boxes.

As new items began to emerge one by one from the opened boxes, the ministers’ eyes began to shine even brighter.

In particular, Im Soon-wook and the Minister of Finance and Economy even brought the calculation model with them and started making various calculations.

What Lim Soon-wook and the Minister of Finance and Economy paid most attention to were chicle shoes (rubber shoes) and chicle tubes (rubber hose).

“They are tougher than straw shoes and don’t get wet, so I think they will sell well if the price is right.”

“I think it would be quite fun if we used a split strategy where rich people go for expensive leather shoes and those who don’t have money go for chicle shoes.”

Lim Sun-wook, who was talking excitedly, asked Hyang with a very excited face.

“How much is your production per year? And what price do you expect?”

“Production volume needs to be adjusted based on sales volume, and the price is expected to be around 5 to 8 won.”

Lim Soon-wook frowned slightly after hearing Hyang’s story.

“The price is a bit ambiguous. No, to be honest, I feel it is a little expensive. “Unless it’s a little cheaper, people will still wear straw sandals.”

Hyang shook her head at Im Soon-wook’s words.

“Due to various circumstances, it is impossible to go any cheaper. “If I were to tell you what the situation was…”

Hyang’s explanation was summarized as follows.

-If you leave chicle outside, it hardens quickly. Therefore, it is sealed immediately after it is bottled, but it is difficult to transport it long distances.

-For this reason, all related facilities had no choice but to be built in chicle production areas. Because the railroad had not yet been laid, there was no choice but to transport it by ship.

-Produced products also have to be brought back to the north by ship and then transported back to Chosi via rail.

“…For this reason, it is unreasonable to lower the price for the time being. “If the railroad connection is completed, it may be a little cheaper, but…”

Lim Soon-wook did not give up despite Hyang’s explanation.

“Is it difficult to transport it from the Messika area to the north?”

“The loss rate is too high.”

“Then is it too much to go near the port built in the Messika area?”

“It is possible to get there, but it is not possible due to other problems.”

“If you say it’s a different problem….”

“What do you think is the fastest way to turn the natives of the Messika region into imperial people?”

Lim Soon-wook, who thought for a moment about Hyang’s question, suddenly looked like he had taken a hit.

“No way… do you like money?”

“exactly.”

Hyang smiled and answered Im Soon-wook’s question. But Hyang’s smile was full of fishyness.

“Hmm… Then I guess I’ll have to find another way.”

After hearing Hyang’s answer, Lim Soon-wook began considering other options instead of giving up on the pricing policy. Lim Sun-wook, who had been thinking for a while, seemed to have come to a conclusion, went to Hyeon, bowed his head, and opened his mouth.

“First of all, I have to go to Bakridamae. Also, the country monopolizes wholesale and production rights. “Chicle shoes and chicle pipes have great advantages, so if we spread word of mouth well, we will be able to secure a certain amount of sales.”

Hyun nodded his head at Lim Sun-wook’s words and concluded.

“I already know your skills well, so I will trust you and leave it to you.”

“I will put everything I have into it to make it a success.”

In this way, the production and sale of chicle-related items brought by the fragrance were permitted.

And all information and policies related to this were organized into documents and delivered to Wan.

Wan, who was checking for the last time before leaving for Shinji, took the documents and sighed.

“Ha~. “I don’t have enough time to study flying… but there’s just more work to do.”

Wan, who began to look at the documents with a sigh, soon straightened his posture and began to look at the documents with a serious face. That wasn’t all. Wan, who had an ink pen in his hand, began to write down on paper the things he would prioritize and implement upon arrival.

“As Tae Sang-tae said, the quickest way to turn natives into imperial people is to have the taste of money.”

It was a method derived from the experience gained in the process of turning the indigenous people who lived in the areas absorbed into the empire’s territory into subjects of the empire.

Native people who encountered the empire’s novel and useful objects were possessed by a strong desire to own them.

“Do you want this? Then bring the money.”

“money? “What is money?”

After hearing the explanation about money, the next question was how to get it. The natives who learned of the method immediately took action.

It started with obtaining and exchanging what the empire’s merchants wanted – fur, herbal resources, etc. As time passed and mines and other production facilities were built, native people found jobs there, became workers, and began paying taxes to make a living. In this way, they became citizens of the empire.

Of course, this method was possible because the empire had strong military power and the ability to project. Otherwise, the natives would have chosen plunder rather than trade. Because that was the easiest and most familiar method.

* * *

As time passed and sufficient inventory was secured, the imperial court began to introduce products such as chicle shoes and chicle pipes to the market.

“What is this? chicle?”

“It’s not leather or fabric. It’s amazing, isn’t it?”

“But isn’t it a bit expensive?”

Among those who hesitated because of the price, people began to buy them one by one. And soon, word of mouth began to spread and it soon became explosively popular.