The transport fleet organized by the Imperial Navy was busy shuttling between New Frontier and the mainland, transporting the expeditionary force.

This was due to the northern sea route freezing over and becoming blocked in early winter.

• More troops, faster.

This was the challenge entrusted to the Imperial Navy.

While naval officers were contemplating various methods to solve this problem, the “Assault Ghost Ship” became a topic of discussion.

“What if we use the Assault Ghost Ships?”

“The Assault Ghost Ships? Don’t you know their greatest weakness is their short cruising range? They’d stop before reaching even halfway!”

“We can reduce the weight.”

“Reduce the weight?”

“There aren’t any pirates on the northern route anyway, right? Neither the Ming nor the Japanese dare to come near. So, we remove all the cannons, shells, and gunpowder, and in their place, load extra coal, water, troops to transport, and provisions.”

“Hmm… That might work?”

Thus, a proposal on “How to Utilize Assault Ghost Ships as Transport Vessels” was drafted.

The upper echelons of the Imperial Navy who received this proposal wore perplexed expressions.

“Well now… Should we call this creative, or absurd?”

“I’m not sure… In a way, it’s quite an innovative idea…”

Amid these deliberations, some showed relatively positive reactions.

“Don’t you think it’s worth trying? Eventually, steam-powered warships and transport vessels will become common. Isn’t it better to explore the possibilities now and learn what needs attention for proper implementation, rather than scrambling when the need arises?”

“Hmm?”

In the end, believing the benefits would outweigh the drawbacks, the Imperial Navy’s leadership revised the proposal and submitted it to King Wan.

“Hmm… What do you all think?”

After reading the proposal, Wan asked his ministers. Hwangbo In stepped forward to answer.

“I believe it’s not a bad idea to try it once. Of course, warships and transport vessels serve different purposes, so the results obtained from this experiment won’t satisfy both sides completely. However, I believe it’s sufficient to glimpse the potential of steam-powered iron ships.”

“Hmm… I see. Let’s give it a try.”

Following Wan’s decision, one of the three Assault Ghost Ships that had just been assigned to the Inland Sea Fleet was requisitioned.

“You’ll have to bear with it.”

“…Yes, sir.”

After receiving the imperial order from the Inland Sea Commander, the ship’s captain kicked a stone on the ground in frustration.

“To think my proud Assault Ghost Ship must serve as a mere cargo vessel!”

Since it was an order approved by the Emperor, the work of removing cannons, shells, and gunpowder from the Assault Ghost Ship proceeded quickly.

“You want the battle carts removed too?”

“Remove them all.”

“We should maintain at least minimal armaments…”

“It’s not just one Assault Ghost Ship moving alone, so what’s there to worry about? Besides, if an Assault Ghost Ship decides to flee, is there any ship that could chase it down?”

“…Understood. We’ll remove everything.”

However, unloading the cannons and shells was not the end of it.

First, they meticulously measured the weight of each removed cannon and shell.

“Based on the average weight of soldiers and their equipment…”

“For the distance from here to Chosi in New Frontier, how much coal would be needed?”

“The weight of daily rations for the soldiers is…”

After meticulous calculations by the officers in charge of supplies, estimated figures were produced, and upon receiving them, the higher-ups once again wore perplexed expressions.

“Eight hundred men? Isn’t that too few?”

“Indeed. Considering the size of an Assault Ghost Ship, isn’t that too few?”

To these concerns, those in charge explained the reasons.

-An Assault Ghost Ship is a warship. To minimize flood damage during combat, the compartments are finely divided, making space utilization difficult.

One can’t simply stack healthy soldiers like cargo, can they?

Installing bunks for soldiers to lie down reduced space, and adding extra provisions, water, and coal further limited the available room.

-Still, compared to the Challenger-class warship that can carry an additional 300 troops, this is almost three times the transport capacity.

“Hmm… It seems that for transport vessels, we need to redesign from scratch.”

“I agree.”

“Now it would be best to identify problems by actually transporting troops.”

“I agree.”

Thus, a large-scale experiment of “Transport Using Assault Ghost Ships” was initiated.

And shortly thereafter, the first improvement was reported.

-It is deemed advisable to design new iron warships and transport vessels in traditional shapes.

“Huh? Why?”

“The natives at the ports of call had fits of panic.”

***

The transport fleet regularly visited ports of call created along the northern sea route.

While saving time was important, so were supplies and rest for the crew.

The problem occurred when the Assault Ghost Ship appeared at a port.

“A monster!”

“Run away!”

“Help us!”

The natives who had gathered to supply food and water to the fleet, or to sell various local products to the sailors and expeditionary soldiers, scattered in all directions with screams.

This was because they thought the Assault Ghost Ship, which emitted black smoke from its back and had a massive dragon head decorated on its bow, was a monster.

***

Despite such commotions, the Assault Ghost Ship firmly imprinted its advantages.

To be precise, these were the advantages of the steam engine.

Unlike sailing ships, whose speed varies with wind direction and strength, steam engines allowed for steady navigation at a consistent speed.

-With quality coal and clean water, time can be used more efficiently.

Upon receiving these results, the navy gave more support to the Crown Prince.

“Your Highness, if you need additional budget, we would be happy to assist.”

“Thank you!”

***

Thanks to the diligent movements of the transport fleet, the expeditionary force arrived quickly in New Frontier.

Each time new expeditionary forces arrived, the expeditionary command issued weapons produced in Area 52 and began adaptation and practical training.

One day, while taking time to observe the training of the expeditionary soldiers, Hyang shook his head.

“We’ve got a bunch of Sergeant Hartmans here.”

Hyang was reminded of the drill instructor who could be considered the protagonist of the first half of a Vietnam War movie.

The Imperial Army instructors pushed the soldiers to their limits to that extent.

“Who told you to rest! Run until I tell you to stop! Do you think the enemy will let you rest just because you’re tired and exhausted!”

“Can’t you properly maintain your weapons? The moment your musket malfunctions, you’re dead!”

“Jump! Jump! This height won’t kill you if you jump down! If you hesitate out of fear, you’ll end up with a hole in your stomach!”

“You’re not killing people! You’re protecting the Empire and your families! That’s what being a soldier means!”

“Don’t think of mercy when pulling the trigger! If you want to be so merciful, forget all that sage talk and go play monk in the mountains!”

“You damned bastards! If you want to die, die alone! Don’t cause your comrades to die like dogs because of your stupidity!”

“You! You! You! You! And you! Stay behind! Special training! I will definitely turn the likes of you into proper soldiers!”

As if pushing the soldiers to their limits wasn’t enough, the instructors gathered those with poor performance for additional special training.

“Isn’t that too harsh?”

To Hyang’s comment, Lee Jing-ok firmly shook his head.

“This is relatively mild. They will soon be deployed to the battlefield, and on the battlefield, even a slight laxity can lead to the death of not only oneself but also one’s comrades. According to reports, these enemies are worse than the Jurchen tribes. We must prepare thoroughly.”

At Lee Jing-ok’s words, Hyang inwardly muttered.

‘Well, considering the times… And most of the veterans, starting with Lee Jing-ok, have been dealing with the Jurchen tribes since their youth…’

The early Joseon period’s conflict with the Jurchen tribes was a time when acts that would be called “war crimes” in the 21st century were commonplace. Even with Hyang’s intervention strengthening the Joseon military and King Sejong’s active involvement increasing the number of Jurchen tribes submitting to Joseon, this remained true.

‘Thinking about the Aztecs, I can’t apply 21st-century standards. No, even asking for the level of the recent Joseon-Ming war would be unreasonable…’

Hyang had to acknowledge the issue of time and place.

***

While the final tempering of the soldiers was in full swing, Lee Jing-ok sought out Hyang.

“You said we need new battle carts?”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

“The Byeongshik battle carts seem quite good as they are, though?”

To Hyang’s comment, Lee Jing-ok immediately replied.

“The Byeongshik battle carts are excellent weapons. However, they’re not suitable for the location. They’re too heavy.”

“Too heavy?”

“That’s right.”

Lee Jing-ok explained the reason.

• The Byeongshik battle carts are excellent weapons. But they’re too heavy.
• The battlefield will be a place where it’s difficult to operate Byeongshik battle carts and cannons.
• Of course, we can’t abandon battle carts and cannons for victory. But when you consider the number of animals needed to pull the cannons, the amount of hay and feed those animals will consume, and the number of carts and animals needed to transport that hay and feed, it becomes a vicious cycle.
• To solve this, we must reduce what can be reduced as much as possible.
• Then, the answer is battle carts. Because we can’t give up cannons.

“…Therefore, we need new battle carts, or more precisely, lighter battle carts.”

“Don’t the Byeongshik battle carts have wheels so soldiers can pull and move them?”

“That’s correct. However, to operate properly, one battle cart requires an entire squad. I’ve heard that the southern jungles are difficult for even a single person to move through; the Byeongshik battle carts would be too cumbersome.”

“Hmm…”

As Hyang pondered with a serious expression, Lee Jing-ok continued.

“I’m not suggesting we change all the battle carts of the expeditionary force. For battles in open plains, the Byeongshik battle carts are actually better. But for combat within jungles, we need lighter battle carts.”

“Hmm… I believe what you’re looking for is a battle cart that individual soldiers can carry and move, is that right?”

“That’s correct.”

“All things in the world have yin and yang. If there are advantages, there are disadvantages. I think that means they won’t be able to pour out as many projectiles over a long period like the Byeongshik battle carts. Isn’t that a problem?”

“That aspect can be compensated for with numbers and mobility.”

“Numbers and mobility?”

“Distributing them to more soldiers addresses numbers, and since soldiers can move quickly, they conversely restrict the enemy’s mobility, which addresses mobility.”

“Hmm… I roughly understand what you want. I acknowledge the necessity, but I think it will be difficult to meet the timing?”

At Hyang’s words, Lee Jing-ok smiled knowingly and replied.

“Jang Yeong-sil was in Area 52 of New Frontier. And given that Your Majesty has stayed in New Frontier for several years, would there really be nothing similar?”

“…”

At Lee Jing-ok’s words, Hyang was at a loss for words.

‘He knows me too well!’