Chapter 138
Chapter 138
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 138
Chapter Title: Matchlock Guns and the Northern Expedition (1)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Today, as soon as I arrived at work, I headed straight to the Military Armory.
I'd heard that production of the matchlock guns—something I'd requested back when I was in the Ministry of War—was finally complete.
"One shot from a matchlock gun, and you're done. Doesn't matter if it's you, me, Xiang Yu, or Guan Yu—one hit and it's over."
Compared to modern rifles like the K2, matchlock guns have a ridiculously short effective range, terrible accuracy, and slow reload times.
But they have one overwhelming advantage: they can kill even the toughest foes that arrows or spears couldn't touch, in a single shot.
Plus, anyone with ten working fingers can learn to load one in as little as one or two hours, then fire it right away.
Pre-modern ranged weapons like bows require weeks of grueling training just to hit a target at thirty meters.
Even spears need at least five to eight weeks of practice to be used effectively.
Considering that, it's truly a miracle weapon.
"The Jurchen barbarians, the Japanese pirates—they won't stand a chance against matchlock guns."
The thought of equipping the entire Joseon army with these and sweeping away those vile bastards put me in such a great mood.
I found myself humming a tune, my steps impossibly light.
I'd check the quality with the Armory Superintendent, then beg him to mass-produce as many as possible.
Conveniently, the Minister of War had just been replaced by Choi Yun-deok, a man who ground his teeth at the mere mention of the Jurchens.
If I convinced him that matchlock guns could drive every last Jurchen from Joseon soil... he'd be all in.
"Armory Superintendent, where's the finished matchlock gun?"
For some reason, he personally brought it over and handed it to me.
He could've sent a slave or underling, but whatever.
Who cares about that?
Joseon's matchlock-armed infantry were about to march forth and conquer Manchuria.
"It's beautifully made. Just thinking about pulling the trigger, the lit match igniting the open pan, and the bullet firing... I can hardly wait."
"We've already tested it several times here at the Armory. You're right—it's far superior to the hand cannon as a personal firearm. Making the barrel from wrought iron and steel is a nightmare, but since it doesn't need precious copper, we can produce it cheaply."
The neighboring Japanese have loads of gold, silver, and copper.
That's why they mined so much silver—up to thirty percent of the world's total output from the early sixteenth to early eighteenth centuries—and later flooded the market with copper.
Professors studying Joseon's monetary history even said:
'King Sukjong could issue Sangpyeong Tongbo coins only because Japan was exporting copper like mad.'
Come to think of it, while conquering Manchuria is a must, Japan—with its far superior agricultural output and vast mineral resources—will have to join Joseon's fold someday too.
Japan was hell for the poor, from the Edo period right up to the twentieth century. They'd probably prefer becoming Joseon citizens.
Their taxes would plummet, for one.
And after lives trembling in endless wars, embracing Joseon's peace without conflict? They'd love it.
"Hand cannons struggle to hit targets just twelve meters away, but bracing a matchlock on your shoulder lets you hit ones at sixty meters with ease."
"The longer the barrel, the farther and more accurately it flies. Just like a swivel gun."
"Did you get the idea for the long barrel from swivel guns? You're incredible, Kim Isabu."
"May I try firing it?"
"Go ahead. There's an archery range over there—test it out."
I took the matchlock and asked them to set up a thin iron plate instead of a straw target.
After carefully loading it, I aimed at the plate and fired.
As expected... a direct hit.
"This would punch right through armor. His Highness would be thrilled to see a demonstration."
"You think so?"
"Absolutely. He'd be over the moon."
King Taejong, who struggles with his temper around Jurchens, and King Sejong—they'd cheer and clap at the thought of wiping them out with one shot each.
Suddenly, the Armory Superintendent leaned in and whispered so quietly only I could hear.
"Word is, the Vice Minister of War position is open. That means I could take it, right?"
"...How should I know? That's for His Highness to decide."
"Do you have any idea how much I slaved over making that matchlock? The craftsmen said it'd take three years to perfect. But I begged, cajoled, bought them drinks out of my own pocket, slipped them cash—and that's how we finished ahead of schedule."
Honestly, I thought it'd take three years too.
The Japanese boasted they made theirs in two, but they just copied finished Portuguese models, so it wasn't that hard.
Our Armory craftsmen had to create something entirely new from my crude blueprints. It must've been hell.
The Superintendent must've suffered greatly in the process.
"Shall I fetch the Minister of War, then?"
"Why bring him here?"
"His Highness decides Vice Minister appointments, but the Minister recommends candidates. He'll love the matchlock more than anyone—perfect time to bring it up."
"Good idea. You rest here, Kim Isabu. I'll send word to the Minister right away about this new weapon."
Not long after, a hulking brute appeared—one whose slap could probably spin a man's jaw around.
The massive build under his red official robes...
A fitting sight for the commander who'd led the Four Garrisons and Six Commands campaign from the front lines.
"Kim Isabu, you made a new weapon?"
"The Armory Superintendent here produced it from my design."
"A new weapon, eh? I heard about it up north. Easier to fire than a hand cannon, made of iron instead of copper—what's the power like?"
Instead of answering, I showed him the thin steel plate with a gaping hole.
Choi Yun-deok's lips stretched to his ears.
His breathing seemed a bit ragged, but that must be my imagination.
"Power matches or exceeds the hand cannon. And easy to handle since it's a firearm."
"Yes. Load the powder, ram in the shot, and fire. No need for a ramrod to push the bullet with explosive force."
"You mean that wooden stick isn't needed?"
"No, sir."
Loading powder weapons like hand cannons is toughest when shoving the shot into the barrel.
Sounds simple, but...
The bullet rides the powder's explosion, and to prevent gas leakage, it must fit the barrel perfectly.
That means forcing it in tight every time.
It eats up loading time, but skipping the ramrod saves precious seconds.
"And you control when it fires by pulling this trigger. I'm sure you grasp the implications better than I do, Minister."
"Like loosing thousands of arrows to crush an army—if we make thousands of these matchlocks, we could stop thousands of cavalry."
"Even ironclad cavalry—one shot each suffices."
"But doesn't reloading take too long? If soldiers only carry matchlocks, our front lines could break."
"Pikemen cover the matchlock men, and the enemy won't dare close. Their lines will crumble."
This is the tercio tactic that ended the age of knights.
Choi Yun-deok grasped its value immediately.
Proving my point, he grinned at the Superintendent and issued an outrageous order.
"How many matchlocks can you make per day?"
"Ten at most, currently."
"The Ministry will funnel every budget we can to the Armory—no, that'll fall short. I'll petition His Highness to dump all available funds into matchlock production."
"...Minister?"
"It's for eradicating the Jurchens plaguing Joseon. Make it thirty—no, fifty a day. Team up with Magistrate Jang Yeong-sil. Money short? Hojo Minister objects? Call me. I'll handle it personally."
Under Choi Yun-deok's pressure, the Superintendent broke out in cold sweat.
But he wasn't done.
"Don't you want to be Vice Minister? If you do, hit fifty a day somehow."
And soon after, Choi Yun-deok petitioned King Sejong.
With matchlocks alone, he claimed, we could exterminate every last Jurchen.