The boxes brought by Jang On contained two types of ammunition belts, three types of machine guns, two types of gun mounts, two types of bullets, and finally, one conceptual drawing.
Hyang first examined the ammunition belts.
“Hmm… Are these belts made of metal?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“Hmm…”
While examining the ammunition belts left by Jang Yeong-sil, Hyang muttered inwardly.
‘One is a familiar style, the other is what the re-enactors showed.’
One of the ammunition belts made by Jang Yeong-sil was similar to what Hyang had commonly seen in the military—where bullets served as connection points between links—while the other resembled those used by German and Soviet forces in World War II, or rather, continuing into the 21st century Re-enactment era—metal links connected by single pins.
Ultimately, the basic concept behind both ammunition belts made by Jang Yeong-sil was the same.
- Make the material of the bullet-holding belt from metal instead of cloth.
This would replace the cloth ammunition belts used in both Type B and Type C fire carts.
Staring at the metal ammunition belt, Hyang asked Jang On.
“Why did Jang Yeong-sil order this to be hidden? Was it indeed because of the cost?”
“It was due to issues of cost and production.”
Hyang nodded at Jang On’s answer.
‘Making those metal links does require considerable technical skill.’
In the history before Hyang’s intervention, cloth ammunition belts were the oldest method.
As breech-loading single-shot rifles became mainstream, everyone from soldiers to bandits adopted wearing ammunition belts.
Consequently, when the concept of belt-fed ammunition emerged, cloth ammunition belts immediately became the standard.
Simply put, it was like taking the ammunition belts that soldiers wore around their waist and chest and making them longer for machine gun use.
However, metal ammunition belts were not easy from the material stage.
That’s why Hyang nodded in understanding.
After examining the ammunition belts, Hyang turned his attention to the problematic fire carts.
‘One resembles an M60, another an M2? And the last one… what is this? What a terrible hybrid?’
Seeing Hyang’s gaze shift to the problematic fire carts, Jang On stepped forward.
“The first fire cart uses a metal ammunition belt and new small-caliber bullets. You open the cover, connect the belt, and then…”
“Like this?”
Click!
Before Jang On could finish his explanation, Hyang opened the feed cover with familiar hand movements, connected the ammunition belt, and completed the loading process.
Jang On and the craftsmen couldn’t hide their surprise at Hyang’s expressionless completion of the loading procedure.
“Yes, that’s correct. How did you…”
“I figured it out by examining the structure while listening to your explanation.”
Absorbed with the weapon, Hyang answered nonchalantly. His casual response left Jang On and the craftsmen not just surprised but astonished, though they quickly regained their composure.
‘That’s right, His Majesty has always been this way…’
‘The late Director Jang Yeong-sil was unfathomable, but His Majesty is equally incomprehensible…’
Whether aware of the craftsmen’s thoughts or not, Hyang carefully examined the prototype fire cart in his hands and made a peculiar expression.
‘How should I interpret this?’
The prototype fire cart made by Jang Yeong-sil looked similar to an M60, but with a significant difference.
Jang Yeong-sil’s prototype lacked the ability to change barrels.
‘Did even the great Jang Yeong-sil not understand the concept of barrel exchange? That seems plausible, but looking at this, it doesn’t seem that way? Did he deliberately make it like this?’
While contemplating whether it was ‘coincidence or intentional,’ Hyang turned to Jang On and the craftsmen.
“How do you address the overheating of fire cart barrels?”
“First, we’ve prevented overheating by making the barrels thicker.”
“Is that so? Hmm… But with this structure, you can’t use the Empire’s current ammunition.”
To properly utilize the metal ammunition belts made by Jang Yeong-sil, the current rimmed cartridges required too much handling.
“Yes, that’s why he proposed new ammunition.”
“Is it this?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Listening to Jang On’s answer, Hyang picked up the smaller of the two bullets and examined it.
‘A typical rimless cartridge. To have progressed this far on his own… is this man truly an alien?’
Whether aware of Hyang’s inner thoughts or not, Jang On hurriedly continued his explanation.
“As you can see, the powder case is shaped like a gourd bottle. This utilizes the principle of bottle-necked cartridges.”
“So even using the same amount of powder, it enhances the power by using a smaller bullet?”
“That’s correct!”
Hearing Jang On’s admiration, Hyang muttered to himself.
‘It’s interesting to hear why a shape familiar to me emerged. But still…’
“The Ministry of Finance would be horrified if we proposed to manufacture and supply these bullets.”
Jang On nodded at Hyang’s words.
“That’s why the late Director Jang Yeong-sil instructed us to wait for the right time.”
“I see… Then why was this one made?”
Hyang held up the larger bullet and asked Jang On.
‘No matter how I look at it, this is a .50 caliber…’
“Is the caliber half a chi (about 1.5cm)?”
“Yes, Your Majesty. The late Director Jang Yeong-sil said…”
According to Jang On’s explanation, Jang Yeong-sil made this bullet for the following reasons:
- —While the bullets currently used in Type C rifles and fire carts are serviceable, they aren’t optimal for all battlefields.
- —Especially in naval battles, when enemies hide behind thick wooden hulls, the bullets can’t exert their full power.
- —In such cases, using artillery is common. However, depending on the opponent, artillery can sometimes be wasteful.
- —In those instances, a fire cart using these bullets would be a more appropriate means.
“Indeed…”
Nodding at Jang On’s explanation, Hyang soon had another question.
“According to your explanation, it seems suitable for current use, so why was it hidden?”
“He said that since the Empire had already firmly subdued the surrounding areas, it could unnecessarily increase military expenditure, so we should wait for the right time.”
“That makes sense…”
After nodding, Hyang soon issued an order.
“While the Empire has subdued the surrounding areas, that only applies to neighboring countries. Despite all the effort put into suppression over the past years, bandits still abound everywhere. Using artillery against such bandits would be wasteful, so producing these is the right course of action. I’m certain His Imperial Majesty would agree, so prepare for production.”
“I shall obey your command!”
***
And thus, one of the items hidden by Jang Yeong-sil revealed itself earlier than expected.
It was the birth of the ‘Type A Half-Chi Heavy Fire Cart.’
The heavy fire cart that appeared on the battlefield slaughtered not only sea and land targets but even aerial enemies.
Thanks to its exceptionally outstanding power, the heavy fire cart and its specialized ammunition earned infamous names like ‘Damn 0.5 (Imperial) Inch,’ ‘Devil’s 50 Caliber,’ and ‘Flesh Grinder,’ remaining beloved by the Empire and its allies for nearly 200 years.
***
Examining the last remaining fire cart, Hyang frowned.
The problematic fire cart was a Type C long rifle with a feeding mechanism attached.
Even at a glance, the structure seemed complex and prone to frequent malfunctions, causing Hyang to shake his head.
“This… doesn’t seem like Jang Yeong-sil’s work.”
In response to Hyang’s assessment, Jang On hastily replied.
“The late Director Jang Yeong-sil also called this a failure and instructed us never to reveal it.”
“I can see why… Let’s look at the next one.”
After examining the gun mounts conceptualized by Jang Yeong-sil—equipped with hydraulic recoil systems—Hyang immediately made a decision.
“While useful, it’s certainly premature. Keep only the gun mount suitable for the fire cart we just decided to produce, and store the rest.”
“I shall obey your command!”
Having examined the items Jang Yeong-sil had hidden, Hyang returned to his initial question.
“How were those fire carts made?”
“The Imperial cavalry stationed in New Frontier made a similar request. In response, the Venerable Emperor commanded us to devise a solution.”
“I have no memory of receiving such a report.”
“Perhaps the Venerable Emperor…”
Though Jang On let his words trail off, Hyang immediately understood what followed.
‘If that report had come to Seoul, he knew I would act immediately! That’s why he concealed it!’
“Tsk! So was it made by Director Jang Yeong-sil?”
“We had devised some solutions, but none were satisfactory…”
“I’d like to see what the craftsmen of Area 52 made as well.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
After seeing the prototypes made by Area 52’s craftsmen, Hyang clicked his tongue.
“Tsk… Didn’t Director Jang Yeong-sil say anything?”
“He asked if their heads were just decorations…”
Though Jang On let his words trail off, Hyang nodded.
‘They certainly made something deserving of such criticism. Whether in Seoul or here…’
The items made by Area 52’s craftsmen, like those from Seoul, were all based on the Type C fire cart.
“I suppose he criticized them for insisting on ammunition belts and cartridge drums?”
In response to Hyang’s words, Jang On immediately nodded and answered.
“That’s correct, Your Majesty.”
Hearing Jang On’s answer, Hyang stroked his chin and reflected inwardly.
‘This seems to be my mistake…’
***
In the history before Hyang’s intervention, magazines had been developed before ammunition belts.
Early magazines were closer to cartridge drums than magazines. The magazine used in the Gatling gun was the best example.
Then, with the development of the Maxim gun, belt-fed ammunition emerged.
However, with Hyang’s intervention, cartridge drums disappeared, and they jumped directly to ammunition belts.
When creating the Type B fire cart, ammunition belts were introduced instead of magazines to increase sustained fire time.
As a result, while the feeding mechanism of the Type A fire cart became more complex, its firepower was significantly enhanced.
The problem was that this led to craftsmen not understanding the concept of magazines.
***
However, Hyang soon realized something and asked Jang On.
“Tsk! But did Director Jang Yeong-sil say such things to you after making that modified Type C rifle?”
“No, Your Majesty. After the Type C rifle was introduced to New Frontier, he pondered briefly and created it, but was so displeased with it that he concealed it. The request came in afterward. So he left it to us, but none were satisfactory…”
Jang On pointed to the DP-28 lookalike and continued his explanation.
“After criticizing the weight issue, the late Director Jang Yeong-sil created this.”
“Then what about the other two?”
“He made them for reference when a new fire cart would be needed as time passed.”
“Is that so? Hmm…”
‘An alien indeed?’
While questioning the existence of Jang Yeong-sil, who showed foresight ahead of his time, Hyang shook his head.
‘Come on, the Venerable Emperor even confirmed his death; I’m overthinking this.’
After dismissing the ‘Jang Yeong-sil alien theory,’ Hyang continued his thoughts.
‘But it’s too precious to simply disregard Jang Yeong-sil’s existence. Among New Frontier’s natives, some even emerged who revere him as a god…’
***
When Hyang first visited Area 52, after completing his tour, he visited Jang Yeong-sil’s grave.
“The former director requested to be buried here rather than in the Imperial Cemetery in Seoul. He said he wanted to continue watching Area 52 develop, even as a ghost…”
“Is that so?”
At Jang On’s words, Hyang quietly nodded.
‘I would have said the same. After all, Area 52 is a place Jang Yeong-sil created with his own hands from the beginning…’
Hyang seemed to understand Jang Yeong-sil’s feelings.
Guided by Jang On to Jang Yeong-sil’s grave, Hyang made an astonished expression.
This was because all sorts of symbolic objects surrounded Jang Yeong-sil’s tomb.
“What are those things?”
At Hyang’s question, Jang On stammered a response.
“Th-those are… objects like totem poles or stone statues set up by natives who ad-admire the late Director Jang Yeong-sil.”
“Totem poles and stone statues as tokens of admiration? You know that doesn’t make sense, right?”
At Hyang’s words, Jang On immediately knelt and bowed his head deeply.
“Please execute me!”