Imperial Year 19 (1466).
With the turn of the year, the expeditionary force finally completed preparations to depart for the south.
“According to plan, we could have departed in late autumn last year, but…”
At the ceremony to send off the fully prepared expeditionary force, Hyang muttered softly with a voice full of regret.
***
Thanks to the efforts of the Imperial Navy’s transport fleet, the last troops of the expeditionary force arrived around early autumn.
And the troops who arrived later were so well-trained that they didn’t need any additional finishing training.
This was because Lee Jing-ok, angered by the condition of the first vanguard and the second division troops, had issued improvement orders.
Though called orders, they were actually savage threats.
-If you’re going to send soldiers with such miserable training, I’ll strip you naked and feed you to those crazy native bastards!
After seeing orders that essentially conveyed this message, the training instructors on the mainland desperately drilled the soldiers.
They too were among those who would participate in the expedition with this expeditionary force.
Lee Jing-ok was famous for always keeping his word. If he found the soldiers’ training state even slightly unsatisfactory, he was the type of person who would indeed strip them naked and throw them to the wolves.
Additionally, the gradually expanding size of the Imperial Navy’s transport fleet, as ordered by King Wan, was a significant help.
Wan had issued this order at the request of Kim Jong-seo and the Finance Ministry.
-The longer they stay on the mainland, the more unnecessary expenses occur! It’s beneficial to send them as quickly as possible! -The cost of expanding the transport fleet is more economical!
As these opinions seemed reasonable to Wan, he ordered the navy to increase the size of the transport fleet.
The navy initially expressed reluctance upon receiving the order but soon found a solution.
After all, the expeditionary forces headed to New Frontier were only bringing their uniforms and personal equipment—ammunition belts and backpacks—when boarding the ships. Everything from muskets to machetes, military daggers, and canteens made of metal was to be supplied from Area 52.
As a result, the mainland’s training instructors, now with less time to spare, had to increase the intensity of their training once more.
This was to avoid Lee Jing-ok’s reproach.
Due to these various factors, the training status of the troops in later divisions continued to improve. They were trained well enough to enter actual combat as soon as they recovered from travel fatigue.
However, it was decided that the operation would commence in spring, after the new year.
This was because the winter in New Frontier, especially in northern New Frontier where the temporary palace and expeditionary force training center were located, was as harsh as on the mainland.
“The cold isn’t a big problem, but the issue is the unnecessary baggage taking up space.”
At Lee Jing-ok’s observation, his subordinate generals all nodded.
What Lee Jing-ok pointed out were the cold weather gear used by the expeditionary forces.
According to reports and explanations from the New Frontier-stationed navy, the southern region where the war would be waged was warm, if not hot, all year round.
If they departed now, they would have to discard their cold weather gear as soon as they reached the beachhead.
But if they set out after this winter, there would be no need to bring unnecessary cold weather gear. The cold weather gear used by the expeditionary force could be used by other soldiers or sold to New Frontier residents for additional income.
This was because the items used by the imperial army were durable and highly functional, making them popular among residents.
Of course, the transport ships carrying the expeditionary force could load cold weather gear on their return journey. But that would cost more, and there were other issues.
-It’s better to load more gunpowder, ammunition, and medicines in the space for cold weather gear! Especially medicines! Malaria medicine!
***
As the New Frontier-stationed navy’s exploration pushed further south, more people contracted malaria.
Even in the northern regions of New Frontier, quite a few people contracted malaria in summer, so physicians stationed in New Frontier searched through medical books or sought help from native shamans to find medicinal herbs for treatment and make them into pills.
Malaria medicine became particularly important after many soldiers who had returned from battles with the Aztecs contracted the disease.
“It’s not something that might happen occasionally, but something that will definitely happen!”
Following the decision of the upper echelons, including Hyang and Lee Jing-ok, large quantities of malaria medicine were added to the expeditionary force’s supply list.
Furthermore, an additional order was given to the surrendered natives, including “Ssang.”
-Find and secure herbs or trees used to treat malaria!
This order was given with the confidence that since the Aztecs and surrounding natives were not immune to malaria, the tribal shamans would have related knowledge passed down through thousands of years of tradition.
This wasn’t just a confidence based on speculation; there were people with experience.
“I’ve suffered from a disease similar to the malaria you described. At that time, I recovered after drinking boiled tree bark given by the shaman. The taste? It was incredibly bitter.”
‘Quinine is incredibly bitter? This is it!’
It was based on reports from “Ssang” and other natives that Hyang had immediately added this order.
***
Responding to Hyang’s grumbling, Lee Jing-ok smiled slightly and replied.
“But there are good things too, aren’t there? First, the soldiers’ bodies are relaxed so they’re less likely to get injured, and secondly, we’ve received quite a few light battle carts.”
“I’m sorry it’s only 200 units.”
At Hyang’s apology, Lee Jing-ok made an expression suggesting it was absurd.
“N-not at all! Despite our sudden request, you made 200 units! The commander and troops of the expeditionary force are sincerely grateful to Your Majesty and the craftsmen. Especially knowing how hard the craftsmen worked, it would be wrong to complain about any shortage.”
“Thank you for thinking that way. Honestly, the Type A light battle carts weren’t easy to make. Sigh.”
Hyang’s sigh was genuine.
***
Although the design for the light battle cart existed, materializing it was no easy task.
The most problematic part was the operating system, especially the body.
The firing pin, gas lever, and recoil springs weren’t issues as the craftsmen had accumulated much experience with them.
But the body posed a challenge. Hyang and the craftsmen pondered extensively.
“The Byeongshik battle carts were easier because of their size…”
“That’s right… Type A is not easy.”
The Byeongshik battle carts, due to their size, had a surprisingly simple method for making the body.
Well-made iron plates were cut according to templates, placed in fixing frames, and secured firmly with rivets.
To withstand the recoil of hundreds of rounds fired per minute, very sturdy iron plates and rivets were used, which were naturally heavy. However, this wasn’t a major issue as they were designed to be moved by two people using dedicated gun carriages.
The problem with the light battle carts was that one person had to do everything.
Since they obviously had to be lightweight, if made using the method for Byeongshik battle cart bodies, they would certainly break down immediately.
‘In the 21st century, that was possible. No, they were even stamped with a press and then welded. But now, both the level of iron materials and welding technology lag far behind, so it can’t be used.’
After pondering solutions, Hyang sighed.
“Sigh… The conclusion is that we have no choice but to use the most traditional but most expensive method…”
What Hyang had in mind was “cutting.”
Place a solid steel block in a mold, hammer it with a steam pressure hammer to form the outer shape, and then hollow out the inside with a cutting machine to complete it.
By adopting this production method, the Type A light battle carts could secure durability, but it came at the cost of manufacturing expenses and production time.
In addition, the magazine for the Type A light battle cart was also an issue.
The semicircular magazine holding 30 rounds would malfunction immediately if it deviated even slightly from the measurements specified in the design. Therefore, the craftsmen had to pay even more attention to magazine production.
As a result, as soon as satisfactory prototypes were produced in midsummer, full-scale production began, and despite working overtime throughout autumn and winter, only 200 units were produced.
However, it wasn’t all loss.
Through the process of producing Type A light battle carts, the craftsmen at Area 52 gained significant experience in standardization, specification, and quality maintenance of parts.
And the mass production methods established through accumulated experience would become the foundation for what would later serve as the “Arsenal of the Empire” in several major wars.
***
After the farewell ceremony, the expeditionary force soldiers were divided into several groups and boarded the iron horses.
They would travel by iron horse to the naval base built in the southernmost part, and from there, board the navy’s warships to move south.
“Only Jinpyeong was excited because of this…”
The main stops on the railroad laid in New Frontier were the temporary palace in New Frontier, Area 52, and the army and navy bases.
This was for the rapid transport of supplies and troops.
The transport capacity of iron horses and railroads had easily surpassed that of sailing ships during this period.
“I guess the day when maritime transport capacity overtakes land transport again will be when large iron transport ships appear.”
Watching the soldiers boarding the iron horses, Hyang gazed into the distance and muttered. But then, with a slight smile, he continued.
“Then I’ll have to stick my spoon in again. These days, there are whispers from the navy about needing steam-powered armored ships that can secure maritime supremacy in the open ocean, and I hear Hyeon is making moves… Isn’t it true that sprouting seedlings grow well when trampled once?”
***
Meanwhile, on the iron horse heading to the departure point, Lee Jing-ok and his subordinate generals were putting their heads together to recheck future plans.
On a large table in the middle of the passenger car sat a three-dimensional map made with wood and soil, around which Lee Jing-ok and his generals were discussing.
“The landing point has moved further into the bay. Wouldn’t the place we used as a beachhead last time be better?”
To Lee Jing-ok’s observation, a subordinate officer replied.
“According to Lieutenant Ssang and his subordinates, the currently decided landing spot has a wider beach, making it more advantageous for large-scale forces to land and stay.”
“Isn’t the problem that the distance to the Aztecs or Mexica or whatever those bastards are called might be longer?”
“On that point, while the distance is a bit longer, the route is said to be more comfortable.”
“Hmm… It would be a big problem if there are issues maintaining the supply line…”
Lee Jing-ok stroked his chin with concern. Having lived on battlefields and experienced combat for a long time, Lee Jing-ok knew all too well the importance of supplies.
To Lee Jing-ok’s concern, one subordinate officer stepped forward to answer.
“That’s why Lieutenant Ssang recommended this route even more. The tribes from which Lieutenant Ssang and his subordinates come live around this route. With their cooperation, there should be no major problems with our supplies.”
“If that’s the case…”
At the subordinate officer’s words, Lee Jing-ok concealed his uneasiness. The hatred that Lieutenant Ssang and the natives who came with him held for the Aztecs was beyond imagination.
Because of this hatred, Lieutenant Ssang and the natives were more zealous than anyone in training, learning the imperial language, and cooperating with the Empire.