Black Corporation: Joseon

Chapter 216

After spending a night at the naval station, Sejong moved to the shipyard.

I wish I could have gone directly from Hanseong to the shipyard, but the title of king makes it difficult.

As Sejong complained with a wry smile, Hyang unconsciously nodded in agreement.

In the 21st century, the distance from Seoul to Namyang, Gyeonggi Province, would not take much time.

If the president were to visit Namyang, the travel time would be further reduced through traffic control.

However, Joseon was the opposite.

The newly built roads made travel convenient, but the occupation of being a king held him back.

If there was a county along the way, Sejong had to enter the government office and personally check the local officials work, pointing out any shortcomings.

Thanks to the supplemented systems, there were hardly any instances of people rushing to Sejong with petitions as soon as he arrived. However, the commotion caused by the people flocking to present precious items to the esteemed king prolonged the travel time.

It was the same when they arrived at the naval station. They had to receive the salute from the Navy Commander and soldiers, and hold a feast with meat and alcohol to acknowledge their hard work.

Only after spending a night at the naval stations official residence could they move to the shipyard.

If things go well at the shipyard, there will be an additional nights stay there. The couriers will be the only ones busy.

Even though Sejong was here, work continued, so the couriers were the only ones moving at a breakneck pace.

Meanwhile, the faces of the ministers and high-ranking officials accompanying Sejong were filled with delight.

Unlike when working in Hanseong, their workload had significantly decreased, and they had the benefit of resting while visiting government offices under the pretext of inspecting their work.

Even if we die from work when we return, its truly wonderful now!

When its time to rest, we should rest!

Thus, half for work and half for vacation, Sejong and the ministers entered the shipyard.

Greetings to Your Majesty! I, Han Tae-woo, am honored to see Your Majestys countenance in this remote place. This is the glory of three lifetimes! Long live the king, long live the king, long live the king!

Han Tae-woo, a low-ranking official in charge of managing the shipyard in the Joseon era, shouted long live the king with teary eyes.

As someone who had entered through the selection of talents and held a miscellaneous position, he never thought he would see the king in his lifetime.

Moved by the fact that he could directly see the king he thought he would never meet, Han Tae-woo showed an enthusiastic reaction.

Youve truly worked hard.

When Sejong offered words of appreciation, the elderly Han Tae-woo could not contain his emotions and prostrated on the ground.

I was merely doing what I am supposed to do, yet you praise me so highly. It is truly an honor! Sob!

Seeing Han Tae-woos overly enthusiastic reaction, Sejong gestured to Hyang. As Hyang approached, Sejong whispered softly into his ear.

Was he like this when you came too?

In response to Sejongs question, Hyang also replied in a soft voice.

It was similar, but he seems even more moved today. Its probably because you are here, Your Majesty.

I see. Tsk.

Clicking his tongue, Sejong actually felt pity for Tae-woo.

How many people are there who diligently do their work in situations where no one recognizes them? I have a lot to do.

Rise. Dont you have a lot of work to do?

Yes, yes!

At Sejongs command, Tae-woo stood up from the ground.

Wiping his tears with his sleeve, Tae-woo immediately raised his arm and pointed to the interior of the shipyard.

This way, Your Majesty.

***

Following Han Tae-woos guidance, Sejong entered the shipyard and meticulously examined its interior.

Seeing the old ships being dismantled, Sejong asked Tae-woo.

What happens to the planks from the dismantled ships?

We inspect their condition and use the good ones on other ships, while the ones deemed defective are used as firewood or raw materials for hwangji (oiled paper).

When the term hwangji was mentioned, Sejong turned to Hyang. In response to the unspoken question, Hyang simply replied.

We have to be frugal to live well.

Thats a wise answer.

Sejong thoroughly examined various parts of the shipyard.

Huh? What is that building?

Noticing a large warehouse built on one side of the shipyard, Sejong asked Tae-woo.

Its where we display Mings fuchuan (fortune ships) and Japans wasen (Japanese ships).

(Fuchuan)

(Wasen)

Ships from Ming and Japan? Lets take a look.

His curiosity piqued, Sejong headed towards the building in question.

Inside the building, large and impressive Ming fuchuan and small wasen were displayed in disassembled states.

Beside them, Korean ships were also displayed in a similar manner.

They are all disassembled. We can properly examine their structures.

It was an order given by the Crown Prince.

At Tae-woos explanation, Sejong and the ministers looked at Hyang.

I had it created for the craftsmen who will build Joseons warships in the future to refer to.

Tae-woo immediately added to Hyangs answer.

Even now, not only the captains of the Gyeonggi Naval Station but also captains and apprentices from all over Joseon visit at least once to observe before leaving.

Hearing the explanation, Sejong nodded.

Indeed. The current shipwrights^[1] cannot continue working forever.

Yes. Thats why we plan to build a school to teach not only housing construction but also shipbuilding skills to the carpenters.

Carpenters?

Not just carpenters, but we will establish a school to systematically teach the skills of craftsmen such as ironworkers and potters. If we continue with the current apprenticeship system, many techniques will disappear.

I see. Try planning it out.

Yes, Your Majesty!

When Sejong granted permission, Hyang replied with a delighted expression.

Behind them, Kim Jeoms face turned deathly pale as he witnessed the scene.

The budget, the budget

***

After touring the ship exhibition hall, Sejong finally reached his destination.

It was the drydock where the new warship, into which Hyang had poured his heart and soul, was located.

It is truly large and beautiful!

Seeing the new warship, Sejong exclaimed in admiration.

The new warship, sleek from bow to stern, was incomparably elegant compared to the ships he had seen until now.

It wasnt just Sejong who was amazed. The ministers also showered it with exclamations of admiration.

It is indeed a beautiful ship!

The pointed bow resembles an arrowhead, so it seems like it will move very swiftly!

Hearing the evaluations from Sejong and the ministers, Hyang muttered to himself.

It will be slightly slower than the original galleon.

The galleon Hyang had built was slightly different from the traditional galleon.

While traditional galleons had a width-to-length ratio of about 1:4, Hyangs had a slightly wider ratio of about 1.5:4.

This was something he had learned when building a ship for a wealthy Middle Eastern enthusiasts request in the 21st century.

At that time, the American enthusiast in charge of the design had persuaded the client.

Ill follow most of your requests, but the width needs to be wider. Traditional galleons have too high a risk of capsizing when turning at high speeds!

Observing this scene, Hyang had increased the width when building galleons in Joseon.

Its already a ship with an unfamiliar shape, so if an accident happens, itll be buried! Safety first!

As Hyang expected, if this new warship were to face a real galleon, it would definitely be slower.

However, Hyang was not worried.

Even if the speed is lower, the firepower and defense will be better, right?

If they were to encounter Western naval powers at the time Hyang anticipated, they would be armed with even larger and more powerful cannons by then.

Even if they were to meet within the next 4-5 years, Joseons current gunpowder weapons would not be inferior.

Hyang had also designed the ship to increase its defensemore precisely, its survivabilityusing the knowledge he had gained in the 21st century.

And lastly, regarding speed

What did that person say back then? Why worry when well be installing an engine?'

Hyang also had the intention of immediately retrofitting the ship once a proper steam engine was developed.

I like the American style. If the speed is lacking, we can just install a more powerful engine, right?

***

Before the launch, Sejong boarded the ship and looked around.

The place Sejong showed the most interest in was the second deck.

As far as I know, on panokseon (board-roofed ships), this spot is where the rowers are positioned. But on this ship, even this spot is used for cannon placement?

Yes. The new warship moves solely by wind.

Only by wind? Wouldnt that make it slow?

In response to Sejongs point, Hyang promptly replied.

It is sufficiently possible. And if the steam engine is improved enough, we can install it.

Steam engine

At Hyangs answer, Sejong tried to recall his memory.

Last year, the completed steam engines were sent to coal mines and ironworks. They were deployed to replace oxen and horses in pumping water out of mine shafts and blowing air into blast furnaces, and the results were observed.

The reports from the coal mines and ironworks were full of praise.

A single steam engine performs the work of more than 20 oxen or horses, making it the best device!

Remembering the evaluation, Sejong nodded.

It seems like a good idea. So how many cannons will be installed on this warship?

50 eul-sik janggun-hwatong (Second Model General Cannon) and 20 grapeshot cannons currently under experimentation are planned to be mounted.

Sejong seemed satisfied with Hyangs answer.

With that many, we wont be inferior in firepower anywhere.

Sejongs words astonished not only Hyang but also the ministers.

Inferior in firepower, you say? If everything goes as planned, it will become the bully of the seas!

Your Majesty! There are 50 cannons alone!

Before Hyangs intervention, the Golden Hind, the galleon Francis Drake used for his circumnavigation of the world, was launched in 1577.

However, the number of cannons mounted on the Golden Hind was 22. (Note 1)

Leaving behind the ministers who were dumbfounded by the difference in the concept of cannon quantity, Sejong, who was examining the second deck, turned to Hyang.

Youve installed many bulkheads, havent you?

Seeing the sturdy wooden bulkheads erected on both sides of each cannon position, Sejong asked, and Hyang immediately explained the reason.

Yes, the bulkheads are installed to prepare for the event of being hit.

Hmm

While Sejong was nodding, Kim Jeom muttered softly.

No wonder the budget was so high

Having finished inspecting the second deck, Sejong descended to the lowest part, the hull bottom.

The bulkheads are substantial here too.

Survivability was prioritized.

Well done.

Satisfied with Hyangs answer, Sejong did not hesitate to praise him.

When designing the hull bottom, the part below the waterline, Hyang had focused the most on installing compartments.

He allocated space for the steam engine that might be installed in the future and installed a total of 6 compartments, 3 on each side, around it. And the doors installed in the passageways connecting the compartments were made as sliding doors instead of hinged doors.

This was because sliding doors provided slightly better stability than hinged doors with the still lacking metalworking technology. And the pitch, which had recently been obtained through Mansur, was thoroughly applied to the exterior and interior of the hull for reliable waterproofing.

***

Having finished inspecting the interior of the hull, Sejong went up to the main deck and observed the rest.

After examining the captains quarters and the officers quarters, Sejong noticed four protrusions on the sides of the hull and turned to Hyang.

What are those? The parts protruding from the hull, surrounded by a roof and walls.

Looking at the places Sejong pointed out, Hyang simply replied.

They are latrines.

Pardon? Hahaha!

At Hyangs answer, Sejong burst into laughter.

Wiping the tears from the corners of his eyes, Sejong nodded.

It is indeed a place befitting its name!

It was a play on words using the fact that the cheok in cheokgan means the edge of a bench.

Laughing like that, Sejong climbed to the sternmore precisely, the roof of the captains quartersand called Hyang again.

What is that over there? It cant be another latrine, can it?

At the highest point of the stern, there was a structure in the center, surrounded by thick wooden boards on all sides and covered with a roof. There were gaps between the roof and the walls to allow a view of the outside.

In response to Sejongs question, Hyang, who had seen the structure, simply replied.

Its the wheelhouse.

Wheelhouse?

***

Note 1: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_Hind

carpenters who build ships[]

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