Black Corporation: Joseon

The moment they heard the word ‘walls,’ Hyang and the ministers all thought of the same thing.

[Ming]

Consequently, a long silence ensued.

What do we do about this?

Oirat could use those cannons against bandits, but they could also use them against Ming.

Aren’t we going to get caught in the crossfire if we mess this up?

Amid the silence filled with various concerns, Hyang was the first to speak.

“It seems I’m not alone in having many thoughts about this. However, shouldn’t we avoid the mistake of drawing hasty conclusions without proper understanding?”

“That’s true. So what would you suggest we do?”

Responding to Hwang Hui’s agreement, Hyang shared his thoughts.

“First, we need to ask the envoy again. Which cannons does Oirat want? Whether they want launchers specifically for thunder-crash bombs or actual cannons. If cannons, we need to know what size they want. We also need to know the quantity they require. And most importantly, since they said they’d pay properly, shouldn’t we find out how they plan to pay?”

Kim Jeom nodded vigorously at Hyang’s last words.

“Absolutely! We must first know how they plan to pay! Yes, definitely!”

The surrounding ministers slightly shook their heads at Kim Jeom’s emphatic statement.

The man has changed too much…

However, Hyang responded to Kim Jeom with a smile.

“The Deputy Prime Minister is correct. What Oirat considers most valuable might be worth little to us.”

“Things valuable only to Oirat…”

At Hyang’s words, the ministers immediately thought of what that might be.

Horses?

Must be horses? But horses aren’t particularly useful to us now…

It’s not about the horses themselves but the breed issue…

***

With the Reformation reforms and economic growth, demand for horses had increased significantly.

However, Joseon people preferred not the traditional Joseon horses or small Mongolian ponies, but larger horses mass-bred through stallions imported from Arabia.

“If you’re buying an expensive horse anyway, might as well get a magnificent one!”

“That’s right! That’s right!”

Those who could afford to buy and maintain horses didn’t hesitate to purchase large Arabian breeds. The big horses were both useful and good for showing off.

“Was the love for big cars in the 21st century genetic?”

People’s preference for large Arabian horses was so strong that Hyang would mutter such things upon hearing about it.

Joseon horses had a serious drawback. Though small in stature, they were strong, had good endurance, and were clever, but they had nasty temperaments.

For instance, to replace their horseshoes, all four legs had to be tied down and the horse forcibly laid down.

However, the Arabian horses, when properly trained, were intelligent and obedient to their masters’ commands.

This preference for Western horses became inevitable as Joseon people grew taller due to improved nutrition through the Reformation reforms.

The situation had become difficult for both horses and people, with relatively larger people riding what were already called “under-fruit horses” for their small size.

***

Eventually, Heo Hu had to meet with the Oirat envoy again for a more detailed discussion.

“…So, what kind of cannons does Oirat want?”

“We want siege cannons.”

“Siege cannons?”

Heo Hu’s expression sharpened at the envoy’s answer.

“Though I’m no military expert, I know enough to realize siege cannons aren’t suitable weapons against bandits. Why siege cannons?”

Looking somewhat uncomfortable at Heo Hu’s point, the Oirat envoy answered.

“It’s somewhat embarrassing to tell you, but most of the bandits’ nests are in earthen fortresses…”

According to the envoy’s explanation, the reasons for needing siege cannons were:

-The bandits’ nests are on important trade routes. These routes are used to transport horses and sheep to sell to Ming, and goods purchased from Ming.

-Most of these trade routes have been used since ancient times.

-As countless nations rose and fell along these routes throughout history, many abandoned earthen and stone fortresses line these routes.

-Eliminating the bandits wouldn’t be a major problem if not for these fortresses, but the fortresses make it difficult.

-Therefore, they need siege cannons to break down the fortress walls.

“Hmm…”

It sounds plausible, but…

Still eyeing the envoy suspiciously, Heo Hu continued.

“How many cannons does Oirat want?”

“Two hundred pieces.”

“Two hundred? That won’t come cheap?”

“We Oirat can pay sufficiently. We can pay in horses, Ming currency, or Joseon currency.”

Heo Hu’s eyes widened when the Oirat envoy mentioned Joseon currency.

“Ming or Joseon currency? Our Joseon paper money has reached that far?”

To Heo Hu’s surprised question, the Oirat envoy smiled slightly and answered.

“The utility of Joseon currency is widely known.”

“Is that so? Hmm…”

Heo Hu’s expression brightened slightly as he handed the documents to his subordinate and addressed the envoy.

“I’ve heard Oirat’s request well. I’ll give you an answer as soon as we reach a conclusion after reporting upward.”

The Oirat envoy bowed respectfully at Heo Hu’s words and pleaded.

“I pray you’ll bring good news.”

“I hope we can find a direction beneficial to both countries.”

***

“They’ll pay in Ming or Joseon currency?”

Upon hearing Heo Hu’s report, Hyang and the ministers’ eyes all turned to Kim Jeom and the Finance Minister.

“Has enough Joseon currency circulated for Oirat to pay for cannons with it?”

At Hyang’s question, Kim Jeom asked back with a puzzled expression.

“Haven’t steady amounts been going abroad annually since initial issuance, with related reports submitted yearly?”

“I heard that, but I’m surprised enough Joseon currency has reached them for Oirat to pay for cannons with it.”

The other ministers all nodded at Hyang’s explanation.

Joseon and Oirat had no direct trade until now. Therefore, the Oirat envoy’s offer to pay for two hundred cannons in Joseon currency was astonishing.

Kim Jeom shared his thoughts on Hyang’s words.

“You surely know that when our currency leaves the battlefield, especially going abroad, it must be exchanged for real silver. The problem is we can’t track where those bills go after leaving the country. The most likely explanation is that they entered circulation through trading at Masi.”

“That’s the most likely explanation, but the amount is surprising. Currently, we’ve set the price at 80 yang of gold per cannon. Two hundred pieces would be 16,000 yang – naturally shocking.”

The Finance Minister picked up on Hwang Hui’s words.

“We’ve been issuing currency for well over ten years now. Given that time and the amount that’s gone abroad, it’s not impossible. Besides, they said Ming or Joseon currency, so there might be more Ming currency.”

As soon as the Finance Minister finished, Hyang spoke up.

“If there’s more Ming currency, we mustn’t forget to adjust the amount based on the exchange rate with real silver.”

“Indeed!”

“We must absolutely keep that in mind! We’ll ensure Finance Ministry personnel attend the next talks.”

Kim Jeom and the Finance Minister responded loudly before Hyang could finish speaking.

***

During this period, silver was the most common means of payment. However, the exchange ratio between gold and silver varied among Ming and other countries.

This was true even in the history before Hyang’s intervention. European merchants made exchange profits by trading large amounts of silver and gold while traveling between Japan, Ming, and Europe.

And after Hyang’s intervention, Joseon was busily collecting exchange profits between Ming and Japan.

***

After settling matters related to payment, Hyang moved on.

“Let’s move on to the most important issue. Two hundred siege cannons. Though called siege cannons, they’re Type B General Fire-tubes, smaller than Ming’s.”

Jo Mal-saeng immediately chimed in at Hyang’s words.

“Though smaller, they have far better range and power. Of course, the Type C General Fire-tubes scheduled to replace the current Type B are even more superior.”

“I know that well.”

Hyang briefly answered Jo Mal-saeng’s point while grumbling internally.

Who do you think made those!

The Type C General Fire-tube was a further improvement on the existing Type B. With the production of even higher quality steel, they were monsters that not only improved the barrel itself but also added rifling for greater range and accuracy.

True to their “absolutely serious about cannons” nature, Sejong and the military decided to adopt them on the spot after the demonstration. And Kim Jeom shed tears of blood.

“What I’m curious about is how threatening two hundred pieces would be.”

At Hyang’s point, Jo Mal-saeng turned to look at Lee Jing-ok. Receiving the silent order, Lee Jing-ok stood and answered.

“If Oirat operates them following our Joseon cavalry model, they could run five long-range patrol units simultaneously. That would be optimal for simultaneously suppressing bandits along trade routes.”

“What if they concentrate them?”

“If someone skilled in military strategy concentrates them, they could punch quite a large hole in enemy defenses.”

Listening to Lee Jing-ok’s explanation, Hwang Hui asked a question on Hyang’s behalf.

“What if we were their target for that concentrated attack?”

Lee Jing-ok answered Hwang Hui’s question clearly.

“Type B General Fire-tubes alone can’t break the walls of our Joseon army’s forts and battle positions. You know what those walls are made of, don’t you?”

The ministers nodded at Lee Jing-ok’s answer. The newly constructed northern forts and battle positions, and the extensively renovated original fortresses to their south, had walls built of iron-reinforced bamboo concrete – as thick as possible.

This made them incredibly formidable.

Boasting of these impregnable walls, Lee Jing-ok continued his explanation with confidence.

“If they dare challenge Joseon with two hundred cannons, they’ll deeply regret it. For every shot they fire, we’ll answer with five. This is possible just mobilizing the artillery positioned along the northern border.”

Lee Jing-ok’s voice was full of pride. At his words, Hyang muttered internally.

Though I played a part too, indeed the Artillery Division! People of the cannon!

“So, two hundred pieces would be a force requiring considerable attention? Ah! Excluding our Joseon, of course.”

“That’s correct.”

“Hmm…”

Hearing Lee Jing-ok’s answer, Hyang fell silent in thought. After spending some time nodding to himself, calculating something, Hyang looked at Hwang Hui.

“Prime Minister.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“The cannons are quite expensive, aren’t they?”

“They are. Are you perhaps considering a discount?”

Hyang shook his head at Hwang Hui’s words.

“No. I plan to insist on the full unit price. If they truly intend to fight only bandits, they’ll reduce the quantity. If they have other intentions, they’ll try to negotiate with payment methods beyond currency.”

Hwang Hui’s eyes lit up at Hyang’s words.

“Ah! You plan to discover their true intentions through those negotiations? What an excellent plan!”

The other ministers also nodded at Hwang Hui’s words.

Having received Hwang Hui’s agreement, Hyang continued.

“Even if Oirat offers other payment methods, we’ll only accept currency. And if the number of cannons they take exceeds one hundred, we’ll send envoys to Ming. We’ll inform the Emperor that we sold them cannons.”

Hwang Hui immediately picked up on Hyang’s words.

“We tried to minimize the quantity out of concern about the large number for bandit suppression. But if we say we’re informing them out of precaution, the justification is quite good. We can avoid criticism directed at us while also splitting Ming’s attention – excellent!”