Chapter 274

Chapter 274

When Ming learned that Manchu and Mentemu were engaging in a fight with Joseon, they paid close attention to the progress of the war.

The reason for Ming’s keen interest in this conflict was because of Joseon.

***

Although Joseon was a vassal state of Ming, it was the country that Ming had to be most wary of.

During the reign of Yi Seong-gye, Joseon exerted tremendous influence over Liaodong, and after Yi Bang-won ascended to the throne, Joseon maintained ties with Japan despite the orders of Emperor Yongle of Ming.

Moreover, although its influence was gradually waning, Joseon was the country that consistently engaged in schemes to maintain its influence over the Jurchen tribes in Liaodong.

Therefore, just as Joseon could not fully trust Ming, Ming could not fully trust Joseon either.

Due to this background, when the Japanese invasions of Korea occurred in the history before Hyang’s intervention, Ming had pondered:

-Could it be that Joseon and Japan are colluding to lure our Ming army into a trap?

In the end, realizing that it was not a trap but a genuine attack, Ming belatedly sent reinforcements.

***

Every day, dozens of messengers moved from Beijing to Liaodong and from Liaodong to Ming.

While the Ming soldiers stationed at the garrisons in the Liaodong region maintained a state of highest alert, scouts followed the Joseon army and the Jurchen tribes, monitoring the situation.

And all that they saw and heard was documented and reported to Emperor Xuande.

Upon receiving the documents, Emperor Xuande gathered the Grand Secretariat, led by the Senior Grand Secretary, and the civil and military officials to hold a meeting.

“It is said that the scale of the troops mobilized by Joseon in this conflict is around 40,000. It seems Joseon’s determination is quite significant.”

At Emperor Xuande’s words, a military official stepped forward, bowed his head, and replied.

“In my humble opinion, it appears that Joseon has exerted its full strength.”

“Oh? Why do you say so?”

“I have inquired with our merchants traveling between Shandong and Jemulpo. According to the merchants, not only the troops guarding the vicinity of Hanseong but also the soldiers guarding the southern coast have moved north, causing a commotion throughout Joseon.”

“The southern soldiers have moved north? Why?”

“To fill the positions of the soldiers who have been dispatched to pursue Manchu and Mentemu.”

“Hmm...”

Having heard the military official’s explanation, Emperor Xuande tapped his fingers on the desk, deep in thought.

‘It is the most plausible answer, but...’

After pondering for a moment, Emperor Xuande turned to the Senior Grand Secretary.

“Senior Grand Secretary.”

“I am at Your Majesty’s command.”

“I heard that when I was young, Emperor Taizu had worried that Joseon might mobilize 300,000 troops to invade Ming. Is it that Joseon is struggling so much even when mobilizing a mere 40,000 troops?”

At Emperor Xuande’s question, the Senior Grand Secretary took a moment to gather his thoughts before answering.

“To my knowledge, Yi Seong-gye, who founded Joseon, had remarkable control over the Jurchen tribes. A significant portion of that 300,000 figure must have been Jurchen tribesmen.”

“Is that so?”

Emperor Xuande, who had been lost in thought again at the Senior Grand Secretary’s answer, turned to him.

“Then, should this be considered a case of internal strife?”

“I believe so, Your Majesty. All the tribes that have caused this turmoil were once loyal to Yi Seong-gye. However, after Yi Seong-gye’s death, they rebelled against Joseon.”

“That makes sense. In that case, is Joseon currently engaged in an all-out war?”

“It appears to be so.”

“An all-out war against just two tribes... Has Joseon grown that weak?”

Emperor Xuande began to ponder whether he should reassess his evaluation of Joseon.

Seeing the Emperor’s contemplation, another military official stepped forward.

“Your Majesty, it is said that the King of Joseon has personally led the campaign.”

At the official’s report, Emperor Xuande, who had been sitting in a relaxed posture, straightened his body and asked.

“The King of Joseon has personally led the campaign?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Upon hearing the answer, Emperor Xuande immediately burst into laughter.

“Hahaha! Indeed, it is so! Indeed! It is indeed so!”

Repeatedly exclaiming, “It is indeed so!” while laughing, Emperor Xuande addressed his subjects.

“To sit idly in the palace when exerting all efforts for the royal cause that must be defended is a disgrace to a monarch! Indeed, it is so! It is said that Yi Seong-gye, who founded Joseon, was a formidable general. His blood has not gone to waste! Hahaha!”

Seeing Emperor Xuande’s overjoyed demeanor, the Senior Grand Secretary inwardly sighed.

After further contemplation, Emperor Xuande reached a conclusion.

“It seems it would be excellent for defensive purposes.”

“We also thought the same, Your Majesty. Looking at the tactics of the Joseon army against the Jurchen or the Japanese pirates, their priority is to focus on defense. In that case, loading the Thunder Crash Bomb into a cannon and firing it or throwing it would yield the best results.”

“I see.”

Nodding his head, Emperor Xuande issued an order.

“Command the craftsmen who make cannons to create similar weapons for us as well. Have them installed in the fortresses of the Northern Yuan and Liaodong.”

“We shall obey Your Majesty’s command!”

***

Following the Flying Thunder, or rather, what drew the most attention from Emperor Xuande and the Ming military officials was the Gapsik Jangchong (Improved Long Gun) used by the Joseon musketeers.

“A small cannon that can be carried by one person?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Don’t we already have those?”

“That is true, but it is said that the ones used by the Joseon army have a considerably longer range.”

“A longer range...”

Emperor Xuande stroked his chin, trailing off. As someone who had also benefited from it, Emperor Xuande’s interest was piqued.

Tapping his fingers on the desk, lost in thought, Emperor Xuande immediately issued an order.

“Add a command to the cannon craftsmen. Tell them to develop a ‘small cannon with a long range that can be operated independently by a single ordinary soldier.'”

“We shall obey Your Majesty’s command!”

Thus, the Ming Empire also began weapons development.

***

As befitting a great power, the Ming Empire had more cannon craftsmen than Joseon.

Thanks to that, the craftsmen who received Emperor Xuande’s orders began developing Thunder Crash Bombs that could be fired from cannons and small cannons with long ranges.

Bang!

“Aaaargh!”

“An accident!”

As a loud explosion and screams erupted, the craftsmen in the workshop rushed outside.

The craftsmen who ran to the source of the explosion and screams quickly took action.

“Extinguish the spreading fire!”

“Move the people!”

After a commotion of extinguishing the fire that had spread to the clothes of the craftsmen near the explosion site, and moving the dead and injured, the head of the workshop assessed the situation.

“Another small package?”

“Yes.”

Upon hearing the answer, the head of the workshop immediately cursed.

‘A small cannon with a long range that can be operated by a single person’.

When the Ming craftsmen first received the order, they thought it would be easy.

They were already familiar with small cannons that could be operated by a single person.

However, the “long range” kept bringing death.

“How long is the long range?”

“At least 30 jang. (approx. 100m)”

“What?”

What the military wanted was an even longer distance than they had thought.

***

The best method they could think of was ‘adding more gunpowder’.

However, adding more gunpowder caused accidents like the current one, where the gun barrel exploded.

The reason was that they insisted on using the method of stacking gunpowder and projectiles in layers within a single gun barrel, just like the Joseon army before Hyang’s intervention.

Therefore, accidents occurred as soon as they increased the amount of gunpowder.

In the end, the head of the workshop clutched his head and cried out.

“How did those Joseon bastards do it!”