Black Corporation: Joseon

Following Mochiyo’s decision, flintlock rifles and swords began mass production and crossing the sea.

Additionally, inferior heaven-shaking thunder bombs and their launching devices crossed the sea with large quantities of gunpowder.

And massive sales revenue flowed into the court.

Consequently, whenever weapons bound for Japan were released from Area 51, Kim Jeom and the Finance Minister watched the shipments from the sector’s entrance.

As wooden boxes filled with various weapons left, Kim Jeom and the Finance Minister chatted with satisfied expressions.

“It would be nice if Japan’s civil war lasted exactly five years – no more, no less.”

“Couldn’t agree more.”

With each outgoing weapons crate matched by an incoming silver crate, the two hoped for a prolonged civil war.

However, knowing that deteriorating conditions in Japan could threaten Joseon, they limited their wish to “exactly five years.”

“Hey! How many more Wangu shipments are scheduled?”

At Kim Jeom’s question, the shipping manager checked his documents and answered:

“None scheduled after today’s twelve units, sir. Future additions will depend on Japan’s war situation.”

“Is that so? Do we have sufficient Wangu in stock?”

“About fifty units remain. After that, we’ll have nothing to give the Ouchi clan even if they want more.”

Kim Jeom and the Finance Minister’s faces filled with regret at the manager’s words.

“Is that so? No plans for reproduction?”

“We’ve already melted down the molds.”

“What a shame, such a shame… Tsk!”

“Tsk!”

Kim Jeom and the Finance Minister could only click their tongues.

***

The Wangu used to launch heaven-shaking thunder bombs had become unwanted stepchildren.

Created as ultra-short-range siege weapons, Wangu originally used round-carved stones as projectiles. Later, they were repurposed as dedicated launchers for heaven-shaking thunder bombs.

However, when Hyang introduced new dedicated launchers with longer range and improved mobility on gun carriages, the Wangu were relegated to the back burner.

Consequently, many Wangu, like other artillery pieces, were melted down for recycling.

These Wangu, awaiting only recycling, found new opportunity with Japan’s civil war outbreak.

They became launchers for downgraded heaven-shaking thunder bombs given to Mochiyo’s Ouchi clan, and Joseon naturally sold them at a hefty markup.

“Though the profit margin is good, there won’t be further production.”

“However—”

“Do you think demand will be high enough to justify recreating melted molds and casting forms? Given time, the Ouchi clan will make their own. Thus, no additional production.”

At Hyang’s firm decision, Kim Jeom and the Finance Minister could only click their tongues.

***

Once the floodgates opened, the Ouchi clan’s shopping list grew ever longer.

“Huh? They want to buy dried rations?”

“Yes.”

At the Ouchi envoy’s request, Hyang asked again with a worried expression:

“Are you sure this is your lord’s decision? If this is your independent action again, you might really die this time.”

The envoy bowed his head at Hyang’s concern and answered:

“I’m deeply grateful for your concern for my wellbeing. However, this is certainly my lord’s wish.”

“That’s a relief, but don’t you have your own military rations?”

“We do, but while our rations merely fill bellies, Joseon’s dried rations provide energy too.”

At the envoy’s response, Hyang and the ministers all nodded.

***

From ancient times to the future, the Korean people were “dead serious about food.” They were a people who greeted acquaintances with “Have you eaten?” – that’s how important food was to them.

Thanks to this background, Hyang’s dried rations not only preserved well but provided decent taste – though quite salty – nutritional balance, and calories.

They were even used for lunch at civilian schools where growing children studied.

Of course, with economic prosperity from reforms, many schools hired cooks and started proper meal service.

In contrast, Japanese soldiers’ rations were truly poor. They carried steam-dried rice to eat raw or rehydrated. For side dishes, they only had taro stems pickled in soybean paste, twisted like rope and worn around the waist until boiled.

Though made with brown rice rather than white, providing considerable nutrients, it still fell short of Joseon’s dried rations.

***

“Hmm… If it’s Ouchi Mochinyo’s decision, we’ll sell them.”

“Thank you. And…”

“There’s more?”

When the envoy tried to add something, Hyang questioned while internally muttering:

Got a taste for shopping, have they?

“Yes. Please sell us emergency bandage kits for our soldiers to carry.”

“Bandages? Hmm… Well…”

Hyang nodded at the envoy’s words.

***

Though Hyang had many obsessive interests, military matters dominated.

Among all obsessions, military enthusiasm requires the most work!

While developing various weapons, Hyang recognized a practical issue.

“We’re already short on people, so shouldn’t we try to keep soldiers as intact as possible?”

Having reached this thought, Hyang immediately summoned the royal physicians.

“Herbs with hemostatic properties?”

“Yes. They should be effective both as decoctions and when applied as powder.”

“We’ll search for them.”

Following Hyang’s orders, physicians searched medical texts and questioned herb gatherers.

“We’ve found it!”

“Have you?”

Six months later, a physician found the perfect herb.

“Sanqi is best, but it comes from Sichuan in China and is hard to obtain. But after further investigation, we found a suitable alternative.”

“And what is it?”

“Sanguisorba officinalis. Common people call it the cucumber herb.”

“Well done! Now let’s make it convenient for battlefield use!”

The resulting hemostatic powder was packed in small oilpaper envelopes.

Beyond hemostatics, Hyang worked on bandages.

“Honey-soaked bandages?”

“Yes. They say honey prevents wound infection.”

At Hyang’s words, the most senior physician’s eyes lit up.

“I have heard of honey having such properties. How did you know this?”

Hyang dodged the physician’s question:

“Well, from various conversations and readings…”

I’ll never admit I saw it in a movie!

Given Hyang’s famous eccentricities, the physicians accepted this. However, another issue arose.

“That expensive honey…”

“Of course we’ll dilute it. Let’s find the optimal concentration.”

They used diluted honey in the movie too!

Following Hyang’s orders, physicians conducted trials to find the optimal concentration balancing effectiveness and cost.

After finding it, they began clinical trials with honey-treated bandages.

“It definitely works!”

“Then let’s begin mass production!”

Thus, Joseon’s version of first aid kits – “emergency bandage kits” – began distribution to soldiers.

“What are these for?”

Though soldiers initially questioned them, once their effectiveness was proven treating injuries from skirmishes with Jurchens in the north, soldiers treasured these pouches of emergency bandages and hemostatic powder like family heirlooms.

Simultaneously, a new military specialty was born – combat medics.

Instead of weapons, medics carried two large bags and three water containers. Two containers held medicinal alcohol for cleaning wounds. One bag contained cotton swabs for applying the alcohol, while the other held hemostatic powder packets and emergency bandage packets.

***

The Ouchi clan learned of these emergency bandages and hemostatics when treating wounded at Joseon trading posts.

They say the trading post physicians just sprinkle powder and the bleeding stops and wounds heal!

Their bandages prevent wound infection!

As rumors spread like wind, Mochiyo immediately ordered upon hearing them:

“Investigate this thoroughly!”

Learning of the emergency bandages and hemostatics, Mochiyo naturally added them to his shopping list.

***

While doing brisk business with Ouchi, Japanese trading post merchants approached Joseon.

“Please sell Joseon guns to our domains too.”

To the merchants sent by various Japanese lords, Hyang answered briefly:

“We’ll consider it if you bring the Ouchi clan’s guarantee.”

“Ouchi’s guarantee?”

“Isn’t it natural given the matter of trust between Joseon and the Ouchi clan?”

“That may be, but…”

“No guarantee, no trade.”

At Hyang’s firm response, the merchants could only withdraw with troubled expressions.

This impacted all of Japan.

Every Japanese lord faced a choice:

Ouchi or Shogunate?

Though they’d realized the importance of gunpowder weapons watching Ouchi and Shogunate battles, acquiring such weapons required allying with one side or the other.

Consequently, Japan truly began splitting in two.

As sides formed, both wanted emergency bandage kits, and Joseon sold to all comers.

“If we restricted these, the Ouchi clan would struggle to maintain power even if they took control.”

As Hyang said, there was a matter of principle, so Ouchi couldn’t protest.

These emergency bandage kits unexpectedly became a star product.

The auction for rights to produce them saw the highest competition in recent memory.

While Hyang and court officials worked hard making money, someone was smiling with satisfaction.

***

“Father has sent a letter.”

The ministers and vice ministers gathered at Seunghwadang immediately frowned at Hyang’s words.

Seeing their expressions, Hyang continued:

“He commends our efforts. He’s very pleased with the results exceeding expectations.”

Though Hyang conveyed Sejong’s praise, the officials’ faces remained grim.

Receiving a subtle eye signal from Hwang Hui, Kim Jeom asked Hyang with a grave expression:

“So, what does he need this time?”

“Quite a lot.”

“Kut!”

The moment he heard Hyang’s words, Kim Jeom bit his tongue.

Some of us work our asses off earning money, while others…!

Though grumbling internally, Kim Jeom lacked the courage to complete that thought.