Chapter 48: Rejoicing in Obsession, Weeping in Obsession. (13)
Having finished his business with Jeong Cho, Hyang turned to look at Lee Cheon and Choi Hae-san.
"General Choi Hae-san. General Lee Cheon."
"Yes, Your Highness."
"There is important work to be done with the craftsmen of the Military Arsenal."
"Important work, you say?"
"The improvement of the chongtong."
Hyang unrolled and spread out the blueprints as he continued speaking.
"If made properly, this could change the paradigm of future battlefields."
"You said it would change the paradigm of battlefields?"
"That is correct."
Hyang spread the untied blueprints in the center of the table so everyone could see.
"This is the chongtong I have conceived."
"Hmm..."
"Oh my..."
The moment the blueprints were spread out, everyone gathered in the conference room began examining them with gleaming eyes.
While they were examining the blueprints for some time, Jang Yeong-sil was the first to speak.
"Your Highness, looking at the blueprint, it seems that pulling the ring-shaped part attached below the stock moves that curved component. But then how is the fuse used?"
"Deputy Commander Jang, what would you do?"
In response to Hyang's question, Jang Yeong-sil pointed to the cock and nipple drawn on the blueprint and answered.
"If it were me, I would clamp a fuse to this part, and here I would either bore a hole connected to where the chongtong's gunpowder goes, or place a pan to hold gunpowder. If that were done, then this lower part..."
Pointing to the trigger part with his finger, Jang Yeong-sil continued his explanation.
"If you pull this crescent-shaped part here, the part clamping the fuse above will move and ignite the gunpowder in the pan, and the fire energy thus created will enter the chongtong and cause an explosion."
"Hmm..."
"I see..."
At Jang Yeong-sil's explanation, Choi Hae-san and Lee Cheon nodded their heads. Choi Hae-san, who had been nodding, opened his mouth.
"Listening to Deputy Commander Jang's explanation and looking at Your Highness's blueprint, it is truly an ingenious device. If this works, there would be no need for a separate soldier to attach the fuse, and the time from igniting the fuse to firing would certainly be reduced. That was the problem, you see."
At Choi Hae-san's point, this time Hyang was surprised.
'He even knew the concept of lock time?'
While Choi Hae-san showed a positive evaluation, Jang Yeong-sil shook his head.
"However, looking at Your Highness's blueprint, instead of the hole or gunpowder pan I mentioned, there is an unknown protrusion sitting there."
"I see."
At Jang Yeong-sil's point, people's gazes focused on Hyang. In particular, the eyes of Lee Cheon and Choi Hae-san, who were most directly involved, were intense enough that in 21st-century terms, 'lasers would come out' of them.
Receiving the people's gazes, Hyang began his explanation.
"I have separate thoughts on that part. You all didn't look properly."
Hyang rummaged through the blueprints spread on the table and found the one at the very bottom, lifting it up. The blueprint Hyang found contained the design and specifications for the nipple part and the percussion cap to be used there.
Pointing to the parts drawn on the blueprint, Hyang continued speaking.
"This cap is placed over this nipple part for use. Gunpowder goes inside this cap. Deputy Commander Jang, what do you think would happen then?"
Having been pointed out by Hyang, Jang Yeong-sil examined the blueprint and immediately answered.
"If that were the case, that long part above..."
"Please call it the cock."
"Yes. So the cock moves and strikes the cap placed over this nipple?"
"That is correct."
At Hyang's answer, Jang Yeong-sil tilted his head and immediately threw out a question.
"But what on earth do nipple and cap mean? I understood the part called cock immediately because its shape resembles a chicken's head, but?"
At Jang Yeong-sil's question, others also nodded their heads. At Jang Yeong-sil's question, Hyang answered immediately.
"Ah! These are names given by the Westerners who developed similar style chongtongs. Since they are Western words, it's natural to hear them for the first time. To explain the meaning, the Westerners called the cock a 'Cock,' but I changed it because 'cock' seemed more fitting. I just used the others because no suitable words came to mind, so why don't you gentlemen try naming them?"
"Then we must know the meaning of the words the Westerners attached."
At Choi Hae-san's words, Hyang immediately explained the meanings of nipple, cap, and trigger. In that process, there was a short comedy sketch, which happened while explaining the meaning of nipple.
"Well now... the meaning is... really..."
"Do the Westerners have no refinement?"
"According to Western records, there were originally different words, but the nicknames soldiers gave them became so widely used that they became the official names. To train them, soldiers need to easily understand, you see."
"It seems soldiers are similar whether in the East or West."
"That is correct."
At Hyang's answer, Choi Hae-san and Lee Cheon nodded with expressions of understanding.
It was because the Joseon army's soldiers also routinely attached all sorts of obscene nicknames to the weapons they used.
"Then shall we think about it?"
When Jeong Cho and Jeong In-ji showed enthusiasm for the naming work, Choi Hae-san put on the brakes.
"More importantly, the gunpowder that will go into this thing called a cap is a problem. Our Joseon army's gunpowder has issues."
"I see."
At the point raised by General Choi Hae-san, the foremost expert on gunpowder, Lee Cheon immediately nodded, but others tilted their heads. At Choi Hae-san's point, Hyang rose from his seat.
"Please wait a moment."
"Yes, Your Highness."
When Hyang headed to the annex in a huff, Jeong Cho threw a question at Choi Hae-san.
"General. What does it mean that there are problems with the gunpowder?"
"Well... saltpeter is truly a troublesome substance to handle when you get to know it. Soldiers call it 'mangcho' (dangerous saltpeter) to that extent."
According to Choi Hae-san's explanation, black powder was a continuous series of extremely dangerous tasks from the moment of manufacture.
-Mixing each material was dangerous from the start. If the well-ground materials are shaken too much during the process of mixing and then transferring them, they rub against each other and explode. The containers for gunpowder also require vessels made of wood, leather, or brass due to their characteristics.
-Storage was also finicky and dangerous. As mentioned above, if not properly managed after putting it in specific containers, the好不容易 mixed materials separate back into their individual components. To prevent that, after mixing, water is sprinkled to make it damp and form lumps, and when those lumps are properly dried, they must be crushed and sifted to make them easy to use.
-The problem came after that. Even when made this way, saltpeter, the main component of gunpowder, absorbs moisture very well, and if this absorption and drying repeats, it clumps together and hardens like stone. When this happens, it becomes truly dangerous. If you try to use this hardened gunpowder by hitting it with a hammer, it explodes, and if you throw it in fire, it also explodes.
"...And so, the military mixes soil into gunpowder. It's not that they mix soil just to increase the quantity simply because it's expensive. It's because the soil absorbs the moisture instead. If we were to use what Your Highness the Crown Prince called a cap, it might be possible if we put in thoroughly dried gunpowder, but with it absorbing moisture so well, storage is not easy. Phew~."
Ending with a sigh, Choi Hae-san finished his explanation, and Jeong In-ji spoke up.
"Then does the General mean that His Highness's design is useless?"
At Jeong In-ji's question, Choi Hae-san answered cautiously. This was because it could become a political issue if handled poorly.
"Since we haven't tested it with an actual object, I can't give a definitive answer. However, one thing that is certain is that there are limitations with the gunpowder we use."
"General Choi's words are correct."
"Oh my!"
"Gasp!"
The people were startled by Hyang's words that came out of nowhere.
"I apologize if I surprised you. Attendant! In a moment, there will be a loud sound, so do not act rashly under any circumstances!"
"Yes, Your Highness."
Having warned the attendant in advance, Hyang placed a wide copper dish on the table and opened the lid of the wooden barrel he had brought.
"What is that?"
"Shall I call it gunpowder I created? I named it 'Explosive Silver.'"
"Did you say Explosive Silver? Surely you didn't actually use silver, did you?"
At Hyang's words, Choi Hae-san asked with a face full of worry. As a gunpowder expert, he knew well what a monster gunpowder was in terms of consuming wealth and materials.
'But silver?'
At Choi Hae-san's question, Hyang answered with a smile.
"I don't use silver. It's made with nitric acid, mercury, and ethanol. It's just named silver because mercury is included in the materials."
"Is that so?"
At Hyang's answer, Choi Hae-san wore a somewhat relieved expression. Mercury too was produced in small quantities in Joseon so imports accounted for most of it, but it was an item more easily obtained than sulfur or copper.
Looking at Choi Hae-san's expression, Hyang placed a flat copper dish on the table and scooped an extremely small amount of Explosive Silver powder onto the very center with a small spoon.
"Now... Scholar Jeong."
"Yes?"
Calling Jeong In-ji, Hyang handed him a hammer.
"Looking at Scholar Jeong's face, you seem curious, so try hitting it."
"Huh? What? Yes!"
"Go ahead."
Having received the hammer from Hyang, Jeong In-ji alternated looking at the hammer and the Explosive Silver powder, then gritted his teeth and brought the hammer down.
Bang!
"Oh my goodness!"
Along with the loud explosion sound, the table trembled, and Jeong In-ji unconsciously screamed and dropped the hammer.
Seeing that sight, Hyang laughed inside.
'I'll make you suffer for a long time to come!'
"Let's take a look."
With an nonchalant expression, Hyang removed the hammer and examined the dish. It wasn't just Hyang. Except for Jeong In-ji who had retreated backward, the others put their heads together over the dish.
"Oh my!"
"My goodness!"
Looking at the dish with black soot radiating outward in a radial pattern, the people exclaimed in admiration.
"General Choi, General Lee. How is it?"
At Hyang's question, Choi Hae-san immediately answered.
"It can certainly be put to use!"
When Choi Hae-san gave a positive conclusion, Hyang picked up the long wooden lump he had brought earlier.
"This is something I roughly made modeled after the blueprint shape. If used on the front lines, it would be used like this."
Hyang pressed the stock of the wooden gun to his shoulder and took a shooting stance.
Seeing that, Choi Hae-san extended his hand.
"May this humble general examine it for a moment?"
"Please do."
Having received the wooden gun, Choi Hae-san placed the stock on his shoulder like Hyang had done and aimed the wooden gun.
"Hmm... This is interesting."
"General. Me too."
"Go ahead."
Choi Hae-san and Lee Cheon took turns aiming the wooden gun. After examining the wooden gun this way and that several times, Choi Hae-san looked at Hyang.
"If used this way, the one-shot multiple-loading method would not be suitable."
"I agree. Probably one Joran-hwan round would be about right."
At Choi Hae-san and Lee Cheon's words, Hyang nodded his head greatly.
"Exactly!"
Hearing Hyang's words, Jeong Cho interjected in the middle.
"Although I don't know much about military strategy or weapons, wouldn't it be difficult to hit properly with just one Joran-hwan?"
At Jeong Cho's point, Choi Hae-san pointed to the front sight and rear sight attached to the wooden gun.
"The metal attached here in front and the metal attached behind seem to serve the role of aiming."
"I see."
While Jeong Cho was nodding, Lee Cheon added.
"And the fact that this chongtong is long will also make it easier to hit the target."
"How so?"
"Think of the pyeonjeon and the arrow tube."
"Ah!"
At Lee Cheon's explanation, Jeong Cho exclaimed in understanding and nodded. He too was familiar with using bows and well knew how to use pyeonjeon.
"Your Highness the Crown Prince. I have a question."
"Deputy Commander Jang, speak."
With Hyang's permission granted, Jang Yeong-sil opened his mouth.
"While looking at the blueprint, curiosity arose. This chongtong doesn't seem to be made by casting."
At Jang Yeong-sil's question, Hyang nodded his head.
"You saw correctly."
At Hyang's confirmation, people's gazes focused on Hyang. Hyang pointed to the barrel drawn on the blueprint and explained.
"This chongtong will be made through forging."
At those words, Jang Yeong-sil, who had been tilting his head, opened his eyes wide.
"If forging... are you perhaps thinking of making it from iron?"
"Precisely."
* * *
"Now! Let's end the armchair discussion here... and discuss the rest while going to the Military Arsenal."
At Hyang's words, people rose from their seats one by one.
"Please take good care of the blueprints."
"Yes, Your Highness!"
When Hyang and his party went outside, attendants and court ladies came in and began tidying up. One attendant who was just sweeping and wiping the floor tilted his head.
"Here, why is there water... sniff, sniff! Ugh! It's urine! These old gentlemen... who on earth..."
The attendant began complaining about whoever had urinated on the floor.
"Hmm? Scholar Jeong, why are you walking like that?"
At Jeong Cho's question thrown at Jeong In-ji who was walking with an awkward posture, Jeong In-ji waved his hand and answered.
"Ah, it's nothing. My leg is just numb for a moment..."
"Reading books is important, but building physical strength is also important."
"I will keep that in mind. Minister."