Chapter 162
Chapter 162
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 162
Chapter Title: Ninefold Secret Sword (6)
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The Sacred Mission, led by the Crown Prince, had achieved all of its objectives.
We had even secured permission from those Ming bastards—who deserved to have their heads smashed flat with an iron mace right this instant—to launch expansion wars northward into Hamgyong and Pyeongan Provinces.
This was because the Ming court had recognized the Crown Prince's authority, in one form or another.
The problem was that the form it took looked down on Joseon far too much, leaving a bitter taste in our mouths.
"Your Highness."
In response to my words, Crown Prince Munjong replied with a gloomy expression.
"Right now, I don't want to talk to anyone. Anger is welling up inside me so fiercely that I feel like I'm on the verge of illness, and I'm worried I might lash out at some innocent person for no reason."
The Ming Emperor had openly engaged in a battle of wills with the Crown Prince right there in the Forbidden City, declaring to the world that Joseon was a being that dared not defy Ming.
Munjong must have endured tremendous stress in the process.
However, once you start carrying that kind of stress, it all too easily turns into a mental illness like depression down the line.
It was best to relieve it somehow before any problems cropped up.
Especially when the person in question was still a child not yet fully grown into an adult.
"Your Highness, how about we spend the long journey back to Joseon devising some new gunpowder weapons together?"
Even Munjong, who had only ever shown a mature demeanor, broke into a smile the moment he heard "new gunpowder weapons."
He always put on a composed front before the Ming Emperor and the others, but he was still just a kid at heart.
His spirits lifted instantly at the mere mention of gunpowder weapons.
"Isn't that a job for the craftsmen?"
"Does Your Highness know why the Three Sovereigns are so revered?"
"I was taught that they taught the people of the Central Plains techniques like how to farm, weave cloth into clothing, hunt, make nets, and fire pottery—skills that allowed humans to live like humans."
"Yes, exactly. Strictly speaking, crafting cannons is indeed a craftsman's duty. But devising superior weapons to exterminate the barbarians more effectively—that benefits the common folk."
One trait of those who thrive in the harsh modern world is having hobbies they can immerse themselves in moderately.
When done right, it lets you somehow endure even immense stress.
So, to give the current Munjong the resilience to handle stress, he needed to dive into a hobby during his downtime.
"If I really create good gunpowder weapons, will that truly benefit the people?"
"Yes, Your Highness. Didn't Confucius say the Three Sovereigns' virtue was profound because no records remain of their benevolence, yet they filled the people's bellies and led them to the Way? Gunpowder weapons may not fill bellies, but they keep the people safe—and that's no less vital. Isn't that right, Deputy Commander?"
I passed the baton to Choi Yun-deok with a gesture.
Understanding the cue, he lent weight to my words.
"Even without the Bureau Chief's matchlocks and standardized drills, Joseon could have repelled the Jurchen barbarians. But it would have cost far more lives and fewer victories. His point has merit."
With even Choi Yun-deok affirming it, a smile spread across Munjong's face.
"Then let's design something proper together, with the people's welfare in mind."
"Yes, Your Highness. If you come up with good weapons, I'll have General Jang craft them personally."
"Excellent. Then, the weapons I've devised..."
Munjong's deep attachment to gunpowder weapons filled his mind with a vast array of ideas.
The moment he opened his mouth, concepts for every manner of weapon came pouring out.
There were so many rattling around in his head that even tallying them felt overwhelming...
I roughly sorted them into three categories.
Weapons that were neither practical to use nor feasible to build; ones with potential value but beyond our current technology; and those promising immediate impact that we could realistically produce right now.
I steered the conversation toward the last group—the good weapons we could make at once.
"Could you tell me more about that 'fire chariot' weapon?"
"Whether facing barbarians or wokou, the surest way to crush the enemy is to unleash massive firepower all at once, don't you think?"
"Yes, precisely. Spears and the like maintain formations and serve in close quarters... but the weapons that actually slay the most foes are arrows and matchlocks."
A friend from my history department days, oddly proficient in Japanese, had once said as much.
There was data analyzing deaths in Warring States battles by weapon: bows topped the list, followed by matchlocks.
Melee weapons like spears accounted for a surprisingly low share.
And Joseon wielded superior bows to the Japanese while favoring ranged combat even more, so our melee kill ratio against enemies would be even lower.
"Arrows and matchlocks can only be fired during that narrow window when the enemy enters range. So why not harness gunpowder to launch dozens or hundreds of arrows in a single volley? Wouldn't that be a huge aid in subjugating the barbarians?"
"Just as Your Highness says—if we can rain thousands of arrows on the enemy in an instant, it would let our forces steer the war far more advantageously."
"Mounting a mass-arrow launcher like a trebuchet on a cart would make it mobile. And if we topped that cart with something packing dozens of matchlock barrels, it could mimic firing dozens of shots simultaneously."
A mass arrow launcher could double as a multiple rocket launcher.
Historical records of divine armaments even included small bombs attached, allowing express delivery right into enemy lines.
A multi-barrel fire chariot, to exaggerate a bit, would be like a Gatling gun—devastating against infantry.
"...This could truly be a great boon to Joseon."
Munjong's expression brightened at my words.
"Once we return, this humble subject will petition His Majesty to request trial production of the cannons Your Highness has devised."
"You're serious?"
"How could I utter falsehoods in Your Highness's presence?"
If crafted well, that fire chariot could become Joseon's secret firepower ace.
We might not manage tanks on the Manchurian plains, but fire chariots? Perfectly feasible.
Ah, and just like the carts for fire chariots, we should outfit all cannons with wheeled carriages for easy transport.
Time to rack up a big debt with Jang Yeong-sil.
"Jang General will be swamped, so I should drop by midway to encourage him personally."
Seeing how much more he's toiling compared to original history...
The man peaked at junior third rank back then, but at this rate, full-rank promotion seems a breeze later on.
Poor fellow.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ The moment we returned home, I headed straight for Chief State Councillor Hwang Hui.
The reason was exceedingly simple.
No silver mines in Joseon, so we needed to storm Tsushima—where they did mine silver—and seize some.
"Chief Councillor, with no silver in Joseon, it looks like we'll have to rely on the Tsushima lord once more."
"Good grief, do you see the Tsushima lord as some kind of serf? Or a mere steward holding our silver?"
"The Tsushima lord wouldn't dream of defying Joseon, now or ever."
Without trade and diplomatic rights through Joseon, Tsushima starves.
The lord might as well have a leash around his neck.
"Well, I'm all for wringing silver from Tsushima. Plenty to be had there."
"Yes, exactly... which is why I think I should make a trip there myself."
"Why not dispatch another official? If Dead Constitution—that is, you—steps away from court now, the piled-up work is a mountain..."
"Isn't securing nonexistent silver the priority? We have to pay Ming 300 taels annually from now on..."
"True, Joseon has no silver mines."
Dancheon mine existed, technically—but even with my rough knowledge of its location, we'd need prospectors to pinpoint it properly.
And mining would still take considerable time.
"Plus, while meeting the Tsushima lord to squeeze out the silver..."
I recounted to Hwang Hui our seven little pranks on Ming.
He slapped his knee and approved on the spot.
"...Heavens, what a fellow. You've hit on something brilliant. Excellent—I'll raise it with His Highness at once. I'm deeply moved by how you haven't forgotten Ming's imperial grace and strive to show utmost loyalty."
If Ming brands us barbarians, we ought to return the favor in kind.