Barrels of Silver: Arms Deal with Song
***
To plunder Jin, cavalry has to take center stage. Even if Jin and the Mongols found out, they couldn't use iron cannons to bolster their military strength.
"So, you're thinking of selling them at a premium price."
"Yes. Above all, we've recreated our superior iron cannons. This is it—the matchlock musket, far more reliable than the old matchlocks. Unlike conventional matchlocks, this one uses a flint striking a steel plate for ignition. Once loaded, you just pull the trigger, making it much faster to fire. And unlike matchlocks, which falter in rain, humidity, or wind, it shoots even in foul weather. Range is comparable too, so it's clearly a superior weapon."
Of course, production is tricky, but it's only slightly less than matchlocks.
"Mind if I test-fire it?"
"Go ahead. I had it made specially for you, Father."
The barrel was decorated with gold thread and lacquered to perfection. Father lit up like a kid with a new toy and headed to the rear garden for a live test. He took a real interest in guns; once I showed him how, he picked it up in no time.
Bang!
"Must be tough to make."
"Yes, but once produced, its reliability is unmatched. Now that we have mass-production facilities, we'll scale up soon enough."
The original makers were already training other artisans. Plus, the Byeolcho Army was double-checking everyone to ensure no spies from Mongolia, Jin, or Song tried stealing the tech. We could easily mass-produce matchlocks for Song export. Toss in some iron cannons, and they'd have a bit more breathing room against Jin's forces.
The next day, I summoned Sa Sungji to the iron cannon training grounds outside Gaegyeong.
"We'll trade weapons. Matchlocks and iron cannons for starters."
"May I see them?"
Bang! Bang-bang-bang! Boom!
The iron cannon troops fired in unison, and Sa Sungji's eyes gleamed.
"Impressive. This could hold back Jin's army."
Sa Sungji was awestruck by the matchlocks and iron cannons shredding straw dummies in Jin armor, vanishing them in seconds. As a Song official battered by Jin, how could he not be?
"At least for defense, it'll be a game-changer. Sure, weather's a factor, but from behind fortress walls, it's plenty useful."
"Good. Our delegation includes Minister of the Household Won Bo. We can negotiate now."
Straight to the bargaining table. Refreshingly direct. On the flip side, it showed just how desperate Song was. No choice if they wanted to save their nation. Their main army had been routed, after all. Even a battered Jin—survivors from the Mongol wars, led by heavyweights like Wan An Hap-dal and Wan An Jin-hwa-sang—had smashed tens of thousands of northern Song troops. Obvious outcome. Song was scrambling just to hold the line. They'd have to bare their throats to us now. At least for defense, matchlocks and cannons were perfect.
We stepped back to watch the haggling.
"I am Won Bo, Minister of the Household of Great Song."
"Yi Jang-yong, Yodong Tax Commissioner of Great Goryeo."
A Song finance minister versus our Yodong tax chief. High stakes.
"We're in dire straits, so we'll meet Goryeo's terms. How shall we trade?"
"30 nyang of silver per matchlock."
30 nyang each. Yi Jang-yong was going for the kill. Standard haggling, but what was his angle?
"30 nyang? Absurd! You're exploiting Song's plight against Jin, aren't you?"
Song had to feel cheated—they'd never used these before. But once they saw how unbeatable they were for stopping Jin from the walls, 30 nyang wouldn't sting. They had the cash, after all.
"It's a high ask, yes, but there are real reasons."
"Explain."
"Song's feud with Jin factors in, sure. But these weapons are vital for us too—defending against Mongolia. Every one we sell you risks our borders. Sharing them at this price is fair, no?"
Solid logic. Song needed thousands, maybe tens of thousands. We weren't selling our entire stock; steady production was key. We'd only armed 15,000 in five years, and now matchlocks were ramping up. With Yodong facilities, we could churn out 30,000 matchlocks yearly. Split half for our elite matchlocks, half for export—easy. Song didn't know that. "We need 'em for our borders too"—perfect excuse to gouge.
"Hmm. Still..."
"Our gunpowder's the best anywhere, guaranteed."
Won Bo sighed and nodded. Our national fate rode on this; if they didn't pay up, tough luck! Song had no choice.
"Fine. What about your Goryeo cannons?"
"300 nyang each. Perfect against cavalry."
"300? Hm."
He pondered—this felt more reasonable. Not many cannons anyway; they'd buy just enough for a battle. Worth the premium.
"Lose more to Jin cavalry without them. Secure your borders, earn glory defending the realm, right? Also, exempt our merchants from port taxes."
Trading meant squeezing every profit.
"You're stripping us bare."
"Pay in other resources, and we can discount a bit."
"Hmph. Even so."
Won Bo tried chipping away, but...
"Sacrificing silver to save your people and nation?"
"Fine! We'll buy!"
Song caved first. Matchlocks at 30 nyang, iron cannons at 300. Not all silver—mixed with resources, tax exemptions. Huge win for Goryeo.
Why? Production cost per matchlock: ~2-3 nyang. Tenfold markup. Cannons: 30-40 nyang each. Nearly ten times. Even bartering copper, margins were insane. 60% silver, rest copper.
"A great power lives up to its name—snapping up the deal so fast."
"Hahaha. Pocket change to save my country. Right?"
Sucker deal. But Song should thank us. Compared to original history's Mongol doom despite Jin raids, this Song might survive.
"A fine trade sealed."
"You're not selling to Jin too, I hope."
Sa Sungji eyed me suspiciously.
"Infantry weapons. Useless for Jin's cavalry raiders. And could they afford it? I promise you, as Goryeo's Military Regent."
Jin was broke. Cavalry slashing beats standing to shoot. Reloading mid-charge? Not efficient.
"True. Jin's lost half the north, paying tribute to Mongols—can't buy this."
Sa Sungji muttered scornfully. Complaining about our prices after Jin fleeced them? Whatever. Great deal for us; his whining was petty rebellion.
"May this rebuild friendship between Goryeo and Song."
"Sure. Can't blame Goryeo's position."
Still sulking. Nothing uglier than an old man pouting. But given Song's mess, I'd indulge him.
We'd ship 1,000 stockpiled matchlocks as "aid," plus 100 expert gunners to train them. Goryeo officers drilling Song troops? Hilarious. A "great power" humbled, trained by their vassal-subjects.
"You'll go to Song as special military instructors, turning those Han pigs into gunners. Representing Goryeo over their Dao-fang, carry yourselves as Goryeo men. Train without shame."
"""Yes, Regent!"""
I pep-talked them en route, tossed in soap so they wouldn't be lonely. Before leaving, Sa Sungji stared.
"So, Lady—er, Regent—are you the successor to the Dao-fang?"
"Yes. I led all the wars."
"Remarkable woman."
"The founders of ancient Goguryeo and Baekje? Women like Sosono. We pop up now and then."
Goguryeo was a team effort with Jumong, but Baekje was hers. Song needed to recognize me. They weren't fools; they knew who held power. But a woman? Risk of dismissal.
"Married yet?"
"No plans."
"But you'll rule Goryeo soon?"
Ah, matchmaking with Song royalty. Smart—in their shoes, allying with us against Mongols and Jin made sense. Shut it down early.
"I like leading men, but tying to one? Not for me."
Polite no. They'd need a prince at minimum; I'd treat him like a bed-warmer. Tough sell, especially after his long stay. He'd seen Father's garden, all those concubines. Figured I took after him—loose.
"Where's the copper for, anyway? Silver I get."
Yi Jang-yong eyed the copper clause.
"More tech ahead."
Copper boosted our tree. Coins, sure, but ships too. Surrounded by sea, we needed fleets. Copper sheathing fought barnacles, extending hull life. Europeans lagged to the 1700s; iron nails corroded it. But I knew chemistry. Our plate glass rollers—now farm tools—could make cast iron ones. With pig iron flowing, doable. Chill-cast iron via cold plates. Artisans would hate it, but future-proof. Direction set, I'd innovate plenty. I'm pretty smart, after all.