Hyang’s response to the request from the mainland returned to the mainland.
Following the blueprints Hyang sent, the Imperial Army began field testing with prototypes from Area 51.
In field evaluations conducted against bandits operating in the border region where Mongolia, Ming, and the Empire’s borders overlapped, the ‘grenades’ and ‘grenade launchers’ Hyang created received good reviews.
During this period, cavalry units were the main force engaging in skirmishes with bandits in the border regions.
True to the Imperial Army’s reputation as being “crazy about artillery,” even cavalry units had artillery deployed with them.
However, in the frequent pursuits against swift-footed bandits, artillery was quite cumbersome.
In this situation, grenades and grenade launchers were the perfect weapons for cavalry.
With simple portability allowing them to hang from saddles, lethality similar to hand grenades, a range clearly farther than thrown grenades, and being the perfect choice when secretly approaching bandit strongholds for a surprise attack.
Receiving evaluation reports full of praise, the Imperial Army high command immediately decided on adoption and requested Wan’s approval.
As soon as Wan’s sanction was given, grenades and grenade launchers immediately entered mass production and began deployment to the Imperial Army.
The reaction of Imperial forces receiving them, especially army infantry, was somewhat ambiguous.
“It’s certainly more useful than hand grenades, but…”
“It’s not like we’re not carrying hand grenades anymore, right? We carry hand grenades as always, and now we carry these too…”
“It’s already annoying carrying one rifle during marches, and now they want us to carry another? Hey rookie! From now on, you carry the grenade launcher!”
Having solved one problem and facing the next, Wan and the ministers wore troubled expressions.
The challenge they faced was a proposal sent by Hyang.
“Proposal for Improving Standard Imperial Army Ammunition”
“He’s sent another one…”
“Phew… How many times is this now…”
***
Since the adoption of Model Eul rifles, there had been no major changes to Imperial Army ammunition.
The caliber, length, and weight of projectiles, and amount of propellant were all identical regardless of whether for Model Eul or Model Byeong.
The only change was the cartridge case. Model Eul rifle cartridges used paper wrapped around copper base plates with primers, while Model Byeong rifles and gun carts used all-copper cartridge cases.
And Hyang kept sending proposals to change this ammunition.
“I’m not saying change everything. Everything related to projectiles and propellant remains the same as now.”
“I’m only proposing two changes.”
“One is to jacket the projectiles with copper, and the other is to eliminate the rim on cartridge bases.”
Hyang continued explaining why these changes would be beneficial.
“Jacketing projectiles with copper makes rifle barrel maintenance easier.”
The lead projectiles currently used leave lead deposits inside rifle barrels with each shot.
This lead buildup causes malfunctions and accuracy problems.
Jacketing projectiles with copper can solve most of these problems.
“Eliminating the rim on cartridge bases is similar.”
Until now, rims were retained on base plates due to manufacturing technology limitations.
Model Eul rifles kept rims to ensure reliable cartridge ejection after firing.
However, technology has advanced to the level where Model Byeong rifles and gun carts can be manufactured.
This means rims are no longer necessary.
Rather, rims have become inconvenient.
“Model Byeong rifles, gun carts, and Model Gap combat vehicles are all capable of rapid fire. But those protruding rims complicate the operating mechanisms.”
“Complicated operating mechanisms mean more parts. This means easier breakdowns and higher manufacturing costs.”
(Remainder omitted)
“While Your words are absolutely correct… Phew~.”
“Phew~.”
Wan trailed off with a sigh. The ministers also sighed.
Representing them, the new Minister of Finance Lim Soonwook spoke up.
“As Your Majesty said, Father’s proposal is absolutely correct in every detail. However, the problem is that considering the Empire’s current situation, implementing this proposal is difficult.”
As Lim Soonwook finished, Kim Jong-seo sighed and continued.
“Phew~. We’ve made too many. No, we’re still making them.”
***
Having experienced the Liaodong War and the subsequent Second Yellow Sea Battle—more accurately, the amphibious operations concurrent with the naval battle—the Empire thoroughly analyzed the lessons learned.
Analyzing the enormous consumption of bullets and shells during the war, the Empire mass-produced ammunition annually and stored it in warehouses.
They never knew when Ming or Japan might pick another fight, and large and small battles with Mongol tribes disguised as bandits continued in the northern border regions.
Therefore, the Empire produced and stored sufficient ammunition and shells in preparation for potential wars.
“We’ll mass-produce anyway once war breaks out, but we need enough stock to last until then.”
This Imperial policy now tied their hands.
At least bullets for Model Eul rifles and gun carts, and shells for artillery were manageable.
Thanks to vigorous sales of rifles and gun carts pushed back by the introduction of Model Byeong rifles and gun carts, inventory could be cleared quickly. No, additional production occurred due to the ‘Suez War boom.’
For shells, pirates helped.
Shells were steadily consumed in operations against pirates with their tenacious vitality, and artillery itself took longer to replace than rifles or gun carts.
Subsequently, as Model Byeong rifles and gun carts became standard, Area 51’s arsenal produced ammunition like mad.
Enormous quantities were needed just for training ammunition for currently deployed units and ammunition for conflicts in border regions.
Considering the Imperial Army’s emphasis on live-fire training, future production would only increase, never decrease.
Therefore, the arsenal produced new ammunition like mad.
Thanks to this background, the inventory of ammunition for Model Byeong rifles and gun carts was enormous. No, it was still increasing.
They were producing to replenish quantities consumed in the Mexica conquest and supply Imperial forces stationed in the Mexica region.
***
Therefore, Wan and the ministers all wore troubled expressions upon receiving Hyang’s proposal.
“Of course, the points Father raised are absolutely correct. However, considering the current ammunition inventory, it’s impossible.”
“Is it impractical to take current inventory ammunition and remanufacture it?”
At Wan’s question, Defense Minister Jang Hang-seon shook his head.
“I regret to report it’s impractical, Your Majesty. Projectiles are easy to recycle, but the gunpowder and explosive silver in cartridges are problematic. Mishandling could cause terrible accidents.”
Even in the 21st century, disposing of aged military explosives wasn’t easy. No matter how much technology had advanced in the Empire through Hyang’s intervention, it was beyond this period’s technology.
Therefore, disposal of aged ammunition in this period was simple—shooting it at firing ranges in no-man’s land.
Following Jang Hang-seon’s words, Lim Soonwook stepped forward.
“Modifying Model Byeong rifles and gun carts to match new ammunition is also problematic. While Father sent blueprints for necessary parts, the time and cost for producing parts, time to select rifles and gun carts suitable for modification, time to modify rifles and gun carts, time to retrain soldiers, and the cost of all this work is dizzying just to think about. Additionally, considering the cost of equipment to replace for producing ammunition, rifles, and gun carts to new specifications, and defect rates and consumption costs until craftsmen become familiar, it’s absolutely impossible.”
“Ugh…”
Hearing Lim Soonwook’s answer, Wan groaned and grimaced. Seeing Wan’s expression, Lim Soonwook hurriedly bowed.
“With this minister’s abilities, resolution is impossible in the current situation. Please forgive my inadequacy.”
“Please forgive our inadequacy!”
As not just Lim Soonwook but all ministers bowed seeking forgiveness, Wan waved his hand.
“It’s not your inadequacy but unfavorable circumstances, so don’t worry about it.”
“Your grace is boundless!”
“Hmm… Then how about selling all currently produced rifles and gun carts and producing new ones? Like with Model Eul rifles and gun carts.”
At Wan’s suggestion, Jang Hang-seon stepped forward to answer.
“That’s impossible. With Model Eul rifles and gun carts, we could use that method because they were inferior to Model Byeong. However, in this case, nothing has changed except specifications.”
“I see. Truly regrettable. Tsk!”
At Jang Hang-seon’s answer, Wan couldn’t hide his disappointment and clicked his tongue.
As Jang Hang-seon said, weapons the Empire sold to other nations were always one generation behind. Therefore, Wan’s suggestion was impossible.
“Phew~. It can’t be helped. I’ll make my decision.”
At Wan’s words, all ministers looked at him with tense eyes.
Will he decide it’s impossible? Or will he use his authority to push it through?
Looking at the tense ministers, Wan announced his decision.
“I will not accept Father’s proposal this time. Though Father’s proposal is reasonable, I commit this great unfilial act of choosing impossibility because the Empire’s situation is not favorable. I hope you all understand my painful feelings and work even harder.”
“We receive your command!”
“Let’s take a brief recess!”
Declaring a brief recess and stepping outside, Wan looked at the sky and sighed.
“Phew~. How should I write this letter to receive less scolding?”
***
“Tsk! I expected this, but…”
Reading Wan’s response letter received via the next regular mail, Hyang clicked his tongue.
Hyang himself hadn’t thought his proposal would be easily accepted.
After all, he was the one who decided on mass production and storage.
Nevertheless, he continued making such proposals for the future.
As firearms develop, ammunition must continue developing to match. But the most conservative area is weapons, especially military firearms. Only if I do this pointless work will future generations not forget the necessity and continue advancing.
As long as records existed that Hyang, as Emperor, continued making proposals, next generation military technicians wouldn’t neglect ammunition.
Even so…
“Tsk!”
Hyang clicked his tongue and grumbled.
“Impossible because there’s too much inventory? Does he think he’s MacArthur?”
Just before World War II, during development of a new rifle for the US military, MacArthur was stubborn.
“Match it to .30-06 Springfield cartridges!”
MacArthur’s stubbornness was due to the enormous inventory of Springfield cartridges.