Black Corporation: Joseon

Chapter 550

Episode 550: The night before the start of the war (3)

“Whew~.”

Hyang sighed as he checked the list of equipment requested by the military in preparation for an unexpected war, or a war that was considered almost certain.

“There will be an uproar at the Ministry of Finance and Economy.”

In order to supply the equipment required by the military, a large amount of additional budget had to be released. The problem was the Ministry of Finance and Economy. It was not easy to persuade the Ministry of Finance and Economy to regard ‘balanced finance’ as equivalent to Seong Hyeon’s teachings.

Of course, the Ministry of Finance and Economy is well aware of the urgency of the matter, but it was clear that they would try to cut as much as possible.

“Of course, it means that they are working properly, but the problem is that the party on the receiving end is going crazy...”

Hyang, who was checking the list while thinking about the war of words that would break out between Kim Jeom and the Minister of Finance and Economy, tapped a spot in the report with his finger.

“This is probably the problem right now. But I can’t back down.”

-The cartridges used in automatic rifles and freight cars are unified with copper alloy.

Incense was the most basic item to ignite the fighting spirit.

* * *

As breech-loading long rifles, Eul-sik rifles, and freight cars became popular, paper gun cartridges also changed to cartridge casings.

However, the shell casings currently used by the Joseon military were a type of hybrid. Like the hunting buckshot of the 21st century, only the base plate containing the detonator was made of copper, and the rest of the body was a bullet using a shell made of greased paper.

In the case of automatic rifles, in which cartridge ejection and loading are carried out by the power of a mechanical device attached to the gun rather than by human hands, and automatic rifles used in humid areas such as the sea, cartridges made of copper alloy were used up to the body. However, in the case of general infantry and cavalry, bullets using copper-paper mixed shells were supplied unconditionally.

This was due to economic problems.

Copper was precious in Joseon.

A copper mine was discovered on Daeseoldo Island, and copper mines were also discovered inside Joseon. However, both places were not profitable.

Additionally, as Joseon developed, the demand for copper, including tableware, continued to increase. Thanks to this, the search for copper mines is still ongoing.

Because of this situation, it was unreasonable to make even the bullet casings used by ordinary infantrymen out of copper.

However, the copper-paper mixed shell casing was quite tricky. Since it was made from materials such as metal and paper that were difficult to combine tightly with each other, a lot of care had to be taken in its production.

Production efficiency was also the same. The process of making the body of the bullet casing from greased paper still involved a lot of human effort.

There were attempts to make it using machines, but recycling problems arose in that defective products had to be used only as kindling.

Ultimately, the process of rolling paper to create the body of a shell casing had to be rolled by hand.

The paper casings made this way were also difficult to manage. Of course, there were no major problems when used in places like Jin and Bo where proper storage facilities were located.

The problem was when crossing the Yalu River for a counterattack. It was certain that it would quickly deteriorate in places without proper storage facilities.

Therefore, the county took this opportunity to devise a plan to unify, at least for the troops to be deployed in battle, bullets using copper casings.

* * *

“Originally, I was planning to replace it after about five years, but some damn bastards are making it a headache...”

Hyang continued to express his anger as he tapped the item in question with his finger.

* * *

Hyang had no intention of using the hybrid cartridge in question for a long time.

“Considering the current state of development, there will be no major financial problems even if it is completely destroyed in about five years.”

According to the plan made by the local government, after five years, instead of a hybrid shell, an integrated copper alloy shell would be produced.

This was achieved not only by simply changing the material of the cartridge, but also by replacing black powder with smokeless gunpowder and reducing the caliber of the bullet.

In order to reduce the trial and error that may have occurred in the process, experimentally made bullets and rifles matched to them were also being tested through the Chakho Musketeers Unit.

-The musketeer division must perform operations in harsh environments. The current ammunition is unsuitable for the purpose, so new ammunition and rifles are provided.

When King Sejong, who accepted Hyang’s proposal, made the approval, naturally, Kim Jeom expressed his opposition.

“I admit that there is a problem with bullets using oil-based cartridges. However, I think it is unnecessary to make new bullets when there are bullets that use copper casings.”

I responded to Kim Jeom’s point out of curiosity.

“The mission of the Chakho Musketeers is to ambush and snipe. The gunpowder used in current Eulsik Hwacha and Eulsik Long Rifles has the disadvantage that the smoke is so thick that the location is immediately revealed. So we will use Deok-Gap style gunpowder. In addition, the size of the bullet will be reduced to further increase its power. “It’s like a side story.”

“Wouldn’t the supply, including weapons, be delayed?”

“We collaborated with the Ministry of Finance and Economy to recruit an appropriate top company and sign a contract.”

“Please remember not to miss the moment.”

Jo Mal-saeng bowed his head and responded to Hyang’s request.

“I will keep this in mind.”

After checking the troop mobilization issue, Hyang looked back at Hwang Hee.

“If something happens, there will be people spreading false rumors. And there will also be those who try to gain unfair advantage through cornering or other expedient methods. “We must find them and hold them accountable.”

Hwang Hee bowed her head at Hyang’s words.

“Yes, I plan to call the wineries of Pocheong and ask for advice on that as well. But...”

Hwang Hee paused for a moment and continued speaking carefully.

“What do you plan to do with the government workers assigned to the mine?”

“Gwangsan’s official...”

Hyang’s face hardened at Hwang Hee’s question.

The government officials mentioned by Hwang Hee were the families of those who had led the previous Giyu Rebellion. At that time, the leaders were all beheaded and their families became government slaves and were sentenced to hard labor in the mines.

If you had to choose the most miserable people in Joseon today, these were of course them.

Other government slaves and sanobi could dream of becoming Myeoncheon, and even if they did not become Myeoncheon, they were treated quite humanely.

But they were away from all that. Men had to work in the deepest part of the mine, and women were mobilized to carry the mined minerals.

What made their situation even worse was the severe discrimination. Even if they did the same work, miners and women received handsome wages, and even if they got into an accident, they could receive generous compensation. But they had nothing like that.

All they had to do was work until they died or until the king showed mercy.

And King Sejong had no intention of treating them leniently.

‘What should I do in this situation? ‘What is the right answer?’

By 21st century standards, an immediate amnesty would have been the right answer, but this was Joseon, an absolute monarchy. And pardoning them in this situation was a dangerous gamble.

‘I can’t help it. I’ll be criticized, but...’

“Whew~.”

Hyang heaved a long sigh and answered Hwang Hee.

“First, let’s strengthen the security of the mine where the officials are located.”

“yes.”

“If necessary, please prepare a plan to move them all to Daeseoldo’s mine.”

“I follow your orders.”

* * *

Note 1) You can think of the scene in the movie ‘The Patriot’ starring Mel Gibson where British military officers use telescopes.

Note 2)

In the picture above, this is an aiming device mounted on the neck of the gun.

* * *

Author’s note.

hello?

This is Gukppong, who serializes ‘Black Corporate Joseon’.

These days, series are often late. This part is due to me.

Since Sunday, I have had severe headaches and digestive problems, which has slowed down my work considerably.

I went to the hospital and was diagnosed with no abnormalities.

It seems like stress is the reason.

We apologize for the delay in publishing the series and will do our best to meet the deadline.