The battle that had lasted half a day ended as the sun was setting.
It was a great battle that would later be called the “Great West Sea Battle.”
As a side note, in the distant future, this “Great West Sea Battle” would become the most commonly used material for movies and dramas.
While the few surviving large ships and medium vessels fled hurriedly with the small ships, the Joseon fleet regrouped and began cleanup operations.
They launched small boats from their warships to rescue surviving Ming sailors still struggling in the water and collect war trophies like Ming military flags.
While the small boats moved about, there was also busy activity inside the warships.
They collected and separately stored the remaining propellant powder bags, removed fuses from shells and stored them separately.
On vessels damaged by Ming naval gunfire, soldiers clung to the damaged areas, reinforcing emergency repairs.
Seeing the signal flags raised by the ships undergoing repairs, the Gyeonggi Naval Commander shook his head slightly.
“Many ships have taken damage.”
At the commander’s assessment, the captain responded.
“But we haven’t lost any ships to sinking, have we? Since the enemy was also armed with cannons, damage was unavoidable, I believe. Besides, these enemies weren’t just a ragtag group of pirates like we’ve dealt with before.”
The commander nodded silently at the captain’s words.
***
The Ming navy they faced this time was certainly elite. Even under Joseon’s precise bombardment, even watching nearby allied ships burn or sink, they kept fighting to the end.
They fought fiercely until their command structure collapsed with their flagship’s sinking and their formation broke down due to the Maengjin’s efforts.
Additionally, the naval guns mounted on Ming’s ships were quite powerful. While their range was considerably shorter than Joseon’s, their power was certainly not to be underestimated.
Both Challenger-class and Haeung-class vessels had double hulls. They were constructed with not just sturdy Korean red pine but also dense coniferous wood from the northeastern forests, using double-layered planking arranged with grain patterns intersecting at 45-degree angles to enhance strength.
Yet in this battle, even such sturdy hulls had taken damage.
Ironically, Ming’s naval guns had become powerful because of Joseon.
Having to face Joseon, who were evaluated as “artillery-obsessed maniacs,” Ming’s artillery had naturally become stronger.
***
As the commander was nodding at the captain’s words, his eyes caught sight of the Maengjin passing nearby.
With its roof and side windows – firmly closed during battle – now wide open, laughter and singing could be heard from the Maengjin.
“Those temple monks are in high spirits…”
“Aren’t they the greatest contributors to today’s victory?”
“That’s true.”
Watching the Maengjin with a slight smile, the commander turned to his captain.
“When submitting the battle report, I should request measures to strengthen the ships’ armor. It’s not just us and Ming using artillery, and other nations’ guns will surely get stronger. We need to enhance both armor and artillery performance.”
At the commander’s words, the captain carefully asked.
“Will the Finance Ministry approve?”
“…”
***
The battle report written by the Gyeonggi Naval Commander arrived quickly in Hanseong.
“A great victory! The navy has achieved a great victory!”
Jo Mal-saeng exclaimed excitedly as he submitted the report to Hyang. Following Jo Mal-saeng, an official distributed copied versions to other ministers.
“Oh! This is truly joyous news!”
“We must spread this news widely to the people!”
Reading the report of great victory, the ministers suggested to Hyang with bright faces not seen in a long while.
Not a single person in Joseon was unaware that war had broken out between Ming and Joseon.
People gathered in groups of three or five in villages and marketplaces, discussing the current situation with worried faces.
“Should we pack our bags…”
“What kind of cursed bastard thinks like that! The nation’s in crisis and you’re only thinking about saving yourself! Villagers! Bring out the mat!”
“It was just a joke, a joke!”
“There are proper times for jokes!”
Though there were no major problems yet thanks to loyalty to King Sejong and Hyang, people were quite anxious.
In this situation, announcing the navy’s great victory could help alleviate the people’s anxiety.
Hyang nodded at the ministers’ suggestion.
“Very well, let’s do that. Have this report printed and posted at government offices throughout Joseon… and send this report immediately to His Majesty in New Frontier.”
“A truly excellent decision!”
The ministers all bowed their heads in agreement with Hyang’s decision.
The meeting that started in such a warm atmosphere soon turned cold.
Kim Jeom started it.
“Minister of Defense, do you think strengthening the ships’ armor and improving their mounted artillery is absolutely necessary right now, as written in the report?”
“If not right now, it will be needed soon.”
“That ‘soon’ is the problem. Considering the current war expenses and material consumption, it will take considerable time after this war ends to return to normal conditions. Yet you say ‘soon’… wouldn’t it be better to change it to ‘in the future’?”
At Kim Jeom’s suggestion, Jo Mal-saeng’s face reddened.
“Our Defense Ministry is not ignorant of economic issues. However, as written in the report, not only Ming but countries with artillery are making increasingly powerful guns. So how can we remain idle?”
“I’m not saying I don’t understand that! Just that we should allow more time!”
The heated debate continued between Kim Jeom, who held the treasury keys, and Jo Mal-saeng, who needed those treasury resources.
As their parallel arguments continued, Hyang finally intervened.
“In my opinion, the Finance Minister’s view is reasonable this time. While artillery from Ming and other nations is becoming more powerful, they’re still far behind for now. So I believe we have sufficient time.”
At Hyang’s decision, Jo Mal-saeng’s expression turned sour while Kim Jeom’s face brightened.
However, their expressions reversed at Hyang’s next words.
“And strengthening the ships’ armor isn’t needed now either. First, I believe the Challenger-class and Haeung-class vessels’ defenses are already sufficient. Next, I think their frames are too weak for iron armor. We need to properly redesign the frames from scratch.”
This was Hyang’s misconception.
***
In the history before Hyang’s intervention, ironclad ships began by adding iron armor and steam engines to existing ships of the line.
The frames of large vessels like ships of the line were sturdy enough to support even thick additional iron armor.
The Challenger-class and Haeung-class vessels were smaller than such ships of the line but incorporated 21st-century technology.
However, Hyang had his own reasons.
Do you know how much money went into producing those ships! While combat losses are unavoidable, we must avoid needlessly turning them into scrap!
***
At Hyang’s words, Kim Jeom asked with a pale face.
“When you say redesigning the frames, do you mean creating new vessels like the Assault Turtle Ship?”
“Maybe?”
At Hyang’s answer, Kim Jeom immediately spoke up.
“How about just adding iron plates to the Challenger-class and Haeung-class vessels?”
“As I just mentioned, there are several problems with that…”
“According to the report, while ships were damaged, none had holes punched through to cause sinking. As you said, this shows the excellent defense of the Challenger-class and Haeung-class vessels, so couldn’t we use thinner iron plates? I think adding armor within limits that won’t strain the frame would be best.”
“Then there would be mobility problems…”
“We can solve that by mounting steam engines!”
“Hmm…”
After pondering briefly, Hyang finally accepted Kim Jeom’s opinion.
“Very well, let’s do that. We can begin improvements after this war ends, right?”
Kim Jeom immediately bowed his head and responded to Hyang’s proposal.
“A truly wise decision!”
The meeting continued with additional agenda items about the current war and civilian livelihood issues.
After the meeting ended and leaving Seunghwadang, Kim Jeom hadn’t taken ten steps before turning back with a dismayed expression.
“I’ve been had!”
Watching Kim Jeom from the side, Hwang Hui clicked his tongue and spoke.
“Tsk! You forgot again whose blood flows in His Highness?”
“Ah… what a fool I am…”
Watching Kim Jeom’s self-reproach from behind, Kim Jongseo muttered quietly.
“So this is why they say ‘three in the morning, four in the evening’…”
Meanwhile, Hyang, sitting alone in Seunghwadang, was clicking his tongue with a face full of regret.
“What a shame. It could have been a good chance to properly indulge my otaku tendencies…”
It was a classic case of different dreams.
No, it was the harmful effect of fixed ideas formed from repeatedly being outmaneuvered by Sejong and Hyang.
***
Two days later, the ministers gathered again at Seunghwadang at Hyang’s summons.
Having called the ministers together, Hyang went straight to the point.
“Han Myeong-hoe’s scheme, conducted through trips to Japan, has finally succeeded.”
At Hyang’s words, Hwang Hui asked with a bright face.
“Has Japan agreed to send troops?”
“Yes.”
“How many will they send?”
“100,000.”
As soon as he heard ‘100,000,’ Hwang Hui’s face brightened even more.
“If they move properly, Ming won’t be able to send troops from south of the Yangtze River to the north!”
Following Hwang Hui’s words, Jo Mal-saeng added.
“Indeed. And with our assistance added, someone will be spitting blood.”
“Indeed.”
***
Five days later, off the coast of Jindo.
Nearly a hundred ships were moving together in formation.
It was the fleet carrying troops from Japanese lords who had mobilized under orders from the Ouchi shogunate, escorted by Joseon’s Gyeongsang Right Naval Station fleet.
The combined Joseon-Japanese fleet was heading northwest toward the Shandong Peninsula.
On the stern deck of the flagship carrying the Gyeongsang Right Naval Commander, the commander and Ouchi Norihiro were conversing.
“I heard you achieved a great victory recently. Congratulations.”
At Norihiro’s words, the commander shook his head.
“It wasn’t my victory, so your praise is excessive. I rather regret it. Our Gyeongsang Right Naval Station should have participated…”
“You can achieve merit this time, can’t you?”
At Norihiro’s words, the commander nodded with hearty laughter.
“Hahaha! Indeed! Well said! We just need to achieve great merit this time! It seems the family heir has also found a good opportunity!”
“Indeed.”
For this invasion, the Ouchi had mobilized 5,000 troops, with Norihiro commanding them.
“Only 5,000? What’s this about!”
“Isn’t this a trap!”
When other lords – especially those who had been on the opposite side in the recent civil war – protested, Mochiy o played a different card.
-Instead, he would send Norihiro, the family heir, to participate. -Activities would also be limited to the Shandong Peninsula.
At Mochiyo’s proposal, the lords were both tempted and still maintained suspicious eyes.
“Aren’t they planning to use us as sacrificial pawns when we move inland?”
To the lords’ suspicion, Mochiyo introduced Han Myeong-hoe.
“He was sent by Joseon’s Crown Prince.”
Han Myeong-hoe, who appeared thus, promised escort by the Joseon navy.
“Of course, we’ll need compensation.”
“How much?”
“Half of the spoils.”
Hearing Han Myeong-hoe’s words, the lords immediately began calculating.
Half is quite a lot…
But with Joseon naval escort…
This could be a chance to acquire enormous wealth!
After various profit calculations, the lords took the hands of Joseon and Mochiyo.
Thus the 100,000 troops had set out dreaming of instant riches.