Chapter 1021

Episode 1021: The name of the firewood is Arms Race (14)

Hyang continued, hiding his true feelings.

“Isn’t this a ship whose mission is to destroy the enemy through single-hit attacks? I’ll even put self-propelled bombs and torpedoes on it, so I think it has enough firepower.”

“Still, it’s a bit disappointing.”

“The design conceived by the emperor is the basis.”

“My design had more artillery than that one...”

Hyun, who was still muttering with regret, soon accepted the reality.

“You can’t fill your stomach on the first drink. Wouldn’t you get good results if you start with that stomach and improve your stomach step by step?”

“That would be best.”

After a while, the launching ceremony began. It was a launch ceremony that culminated with the Hyeon reading a rite praying for a safe launch and successful operation, and the test ship floating safely into the sea. After the launch ceremony was over, Hyeon spoke to the officials gathered.

“I would like to throw a big party, but it is unfortunate that we cannot do so due to the importance of the matter and the number of eyes and ears watching. Instead, we will pay rewards and vacation days, so I will replace that with that.”

“Hwang Eun is devastated!”

The cries of those expressing gratitude were louder and louder than ever before. Those around the shouts whispered quietly.

“Your voice is very loud?”

“It’s a reward and a vacation, wouldn’t it be like you?”

“Ah...”

* * *

The test ship named ‘Sea Seal’ soon began various test voyages. Navy commanders who were observing Haepyo’s test voyage could not hide their expressions of disappointment.

“The plane is so agile... It would have been the icing on the cake if it could have carried a little more artillery...”

“The power of the rapid-fire cannon is good, but I feel like 10 guns is too few.”

“To be exact, there are five doors. Two doors are tied together.”

Every time they heard these evaluations from naval commanders, the blood in the artillery and ship personnel’s faces would rush out.

“What kind of artillery is that rapid fire gun?”

“The icing on the cake? It would be Hwasa Cheomjok (wearing the art of painting)!”

* * *

The rapid-fire gun attached to the Haepyo was a test version of the 4th generation artillery developed by the Empire. Gun barrels made of composite materials such as more advanced steel and wrought iron cables were able to withstand greater pressure. The breech closure device has also been improved, making opening and closing easier.

That wasn’t all. The reclining double-seat machine, which began to be applied from the 3rd generation, has evolved into the 2nd-generation reclining double-seat machine. This was thanks to chicle and lubricants produced during the petroleum refining process. The sealing plate (gasket) using chicle and copper showed better airtightness than when only copper plates were used in the past. The lubricant was also able to withstand higher temperatures than the castor powder previously used.

With the improvement of the artillery and retractable seat, the new rapid-fire gun was able to fire bullets with a diameter of 3 inches (approximately 10 cm) farther and at higher speeds. However, what made this new gun a rapid-fire gun was the rotating turret on which the gun was mounted.

Inside the turret, which was armored on the roof and on all sides with steel plates 2 inches (about 6 cm) thick, was an elevator that supplied shells and charges. This elevator was connected to an ammunition dump in the lower part of the turret. As charges and shells were supplied through an elevator from a powder magazine surrounded by a strong protective wall that doubled as a firewall and armor plate, the gunners in the turret were able to fire rapidly.

While the steel mill and research institute were mulling over this issue, urgent news was sent to Hyeon and Hyang.

“A new response has arrived!”

Upon hearing Crown Prince Wu’s report, Hyeon and Hyang smiled and started a conversation. “The number of responses has increased a lot these days, right?”

“

Yes. So, what is the grade?”

To Hyeon’s question, Woo answered with a bright face.

“Ugong Yi-san’s upper, middle, and lower grades!”

“What!”

Upon hearing that the answer to the problem, which can be considered the highest level of difficulty, has been found, Hyang and Hyeon left their seats. He jumped up and held out his hand.

“Report!”

“Here it is!”

Hyang and Hyeon, who received the report, began to read the report with concentration. Hyang’s face became brighter than ever after checking the contents.

‘Finally!’

-It was the discovery of oxygen,

a gas that promotes combustion and oxidation .

Hyeon, who was checking the contents of the document, looked back at

the village with a bright face. “I can’t believe Wu Gong Yi-san’s wounds and slander have been resolved.... It seems that the ‘quantity war’ that Tae Sang-tae talked about is finally coming to fruition.”

“I think so.”

* * *

The first research institute that Hyang established was an industry-academia research institute.

“An industry-academia research institute alone is not enough. “I can’t be involved in the experiments every time.”

That’s why Hyang built more and more research institutes. However, Joseon’s talent alone was insufficient at the time, and eventually scholars had to be invited from Europe. However, the results were still sluggish. Hyang made a decision:

“I will not die of old age, but of a heart attack! If so, it’s a volume war! “Make time with volume!”

After making the decision, Hyang began to recruit external talents more actively, and soon scholars from Europe and the Middle East began to flock to the research institute. Looking at this situation, Hyang looked confident. I muttered,

‘This is the aesthetics of substance.’

Hyang’s real goal was not just to recruit talented people. With various financial support and various rewards, young international students and Imperials full of talent and motivation became researchers at the research institute. The young people who became researchers in this way were taught by scholars. They received permission to conduct research together.

However, it wasn’t long before the researchers began calling themselves ‘hakno (學奴)’ or ‘hakja (學婢)

. ‘

This was because the entire process was their responsibility, including preparing the various experiments conducted by teaching scholars, collecting the results, organizing the collected results, and making them available for analysis by the teachers. They were able to endure difficult times because of the fame and economic benefits that came when the results were registered as intellectual property.