After confirming Mehmet II’s potential, the empire decided on a definite investment—or rather, a definite inventory clearance.
Following this decision, a warship loaded with 2 million first-generation bullets, 1 million second-generation bullets, and 5 hwacha departed from Mokpo.
“Even 2 million rounds, considering the 4,000 Eulshik rifles they already received, that’s only 500 rounds per rifle—an awkwardly large number,” Hyang muttered softly while reviewing the report. Then he smiled slyly.
“Soon they’ll want more weapons, and then they’ll need more ammunition. Especially considering the succession competition.”
According to rumors through Mansu, Murad II, who commanded the war effort, had become very frail.
This meant that a fierce succession struggle within the Ottoman Empire was virtually certain. Given that it would be a truly bloody competition for power, Mehmet II, having already tasted power once, would certainly give it his all.
This meant the empire could cast a long shadow over the Ottoman Empire, an emerging power in the Mediterranean and Middle East regions.
“Whether they lay railways or waterways through Suez, the moment a reliable transportation route is established, the empire gains a money tree. And… we can dispose of our problem children too.”
The “problematic children” Hyang referred to were the stockpiles of first and second-generation ammunition they had mass-produced.
***
Regardless of the cartridge material, all ammunition used black powder as propellant. Consequently, they couldn’t be used with the empire’s new-generation individual weapons—the Byeongshik rifle and Byeongshik hwacha (originally named the Type A machine gun, but renamed due to complaints that the additional indexing term only complicated supply lists and increased paperwork).
More precisely, they could be used, but the disadvantages outweighed the advantages.
To accommodate existing ammunition, both the Byeongshik rifle and hwacha would require major design changes. Yet reducing the black powder charge to match the new medium-caliber rounds—7.5mm compared to the previous 15mm large-caliber rounds—would likely cause the Byeongshik hwacha to malfunction.
For these reasons, the older ammunition had become obsolete inventory.
The biggest problem was the black powder inside them.
The black powder required much more careful storage than Deokgap-style powder. This was because its main ingredient, saltpeter, readily absorbed moisture. While Deokgap-style powder wasn’t immune to this issue, it was far less severe with black powder.
They could extract just the powder for use in civilian construction or mining, but its handling and management difficulties rivaled those of nitroglycerin, making even that problematic.
Thus, while pondering proper disposal methods, an easy opportunity to clear them out had emerged.
The envoys who came to congratulate the empire’s proclamation had all shown great interest.
***
Within two months of the ship carrying enormous quantities of ammunition leaving Mokpo for Mehmet II, events unfolded exactly as Hyang had predicted.
Ship captains from various countries who witnessed the loading of vast quantities of ammunition and additional Eulshik hwacha immediately reported back upon returning home, and rumors spread widely at every port of call.
“If we’re late, we might not be able to get any!”
“If we’re buying, we need to buy a lot!”
Countries that had sent envoys hurriedly gathered Joseon currency and goods, heading for Mokpo.
Among them, the fastest to move were the Oirat, Japan, and Ryukyu.
The Oirat moved quickly because they had failed to properly exploit their opportunity during the recent war between Joseon and Ming.
When the Oirat noticed Ming withdrawing their elite troops stationed at the Great Wall due to Joseon’s pressure, they began moving to take advantage of the situation.
However, the war between Joseon and Ming ended faster than expected, and the Great Wall’s defenses remained solid.
Now the Oirat found themselves in a difficult position.
Instead of delivering a fatal blow to the wounded beast, they had only provoked it further.
It was clear that once Ming recovered from its wounds, they wouldn’t leave the Oirat alone.
Therefore, the Oirat scraped together maximum funds and returned to the empire.
“The Taishi wishes to purchase at least 7,000 rifles. And he hopes to acquire 1,000 rounds per rifle.”
Faced with the Oirat envoy’s order, Heo Hu responded with a troubled expression.
“We cannot exceed the initially agreed 5,000 rifles.”
“Why not!”
“The 50,000 rifles we offered are already allocated. Even if we wanted to provide more, it would be difficult.”
“Oh no!”
At Heo Hu’s response, now it was the Oirat envoy’s turn to look troubled.
War with Ming is inevitable once they recover! Even 7,000 rifles would be insufficient against Ming’s forces! Why now of all times!
“Isn’t there any way?”
“Hmm…”
After considering the envoy’s plea briefly, Heo Hu made a subtle suggestion.
“How about this? Since rifles have a service life, we replace a considerable number annually with new ones. If you come at those times, we can refurbish and transfer the retiring rifles. What do you think?”
“Hmm… Not just used but retired…”
“In exchange, we’ll reduce the price by twenty percent from the current rate.”
“Excellent! We’ll do that!”
The Oirat envoy eagerly took Heo Hu’s bait.
Ming will need more time to fully recover anyway! This is the best option!
Whether aware of the Oirat envoy’s inner thoughts or not, Heo Hu privately rejoiced.
Got them!
Rapid military expansion by the Oirat was not what the empire wanted. Since the last war, the empire now shared a border with the Oirat. Therefore, the empire needed to control the pace of Oirat military expansion.
We need time, at least until our preparations are completely ready!
While Area 51’s arsenal was mass-producing Byeongshik rifles and hwacha—known among craftsmen, workers, and soldiers as the “Byeongshik brothers”—it would take time to properly integrate them into combat forces.
***
Following the Oirat, Ryukyu came to see Heo Hu.
“Welcome.”
“Thank you for your gracious reception.”
The Ryukyu envoy responded while bowing so deeply his head nearly touched the ground.
“The reason I seek an audience with Your Excellency the Foreign Minister is regarding the purchase of rifles and hwacha.”
“It was one thousand Eulshik rifles and ten Eulshik hwacha, correct?”
“We would like to adjust those numbers. His Majesty our King wishes to purchase 4,000 Eulshik rifles and 30 hwacha. Naturally, we would increase the ammunition quantities accordingly.”
“Oh? What is the reason?”
“Because of the Japanese.”
“I was under the impression that Japan’s political situation is quite stable?”
At Heo Hu’s question, the Ryukyu envoy responded with a bitter smile.
“Whether Japan’s political situation is unstable or stable, it gives us headaches either way.”
“Ah…”
Heo Hu found himself nodding unconsciously at the envoy’s response.
Ryukyu was a small kingdom. Until recently, it had been divided into three competing regions.
This division ended when King Shō Hashi unified the kingdom in Sejong’s 11th year (1429).
Afterward, it began to prosper as an intermediate stop along maritime trade routes, but Japan—especially the Shimazu clan in southern Kyushu—remained problematic.
During the Northern and Southern Courts period’s chaos, they openly raided Ryukyu, and even afterward continued to harass Ryukyu while watching the shogunate’s reactions.
“…Thus, His Majesty desires more Eulshik rifles and hwacha.”
“Hmm…”
After listening to the envoy’s explanation, Heo Hu considered briefly before responding.
“This definitely requires His Majesty’s approval, so I will first present it to him.”
“Please consider our kingdom’s difficulties.”
“I will do my best.”
***
“What do you all think?”
After receiving Heo Hu’s report, Hyang immediately summoned his ministers to seek their opinions.
“It seems appropriate. Though the Japanese currently maintain friendly relations with our empire, they could turn hostile at any moment. It would be wise to place at least one shackle to prevent rash actions.”
The other ministers nodded at Hwang Hui’s response.
Although the Ouchi clan currently held power and maintained friendly relations with the empire, the ministers didn’t completely trust them.
Their wariness had increased especially after confirming reports that Ouchi’s soldiers had taken vast numbers of Ming civilians during the recent war.
After considering the ministers’ reactions briefly, Hyang proposed a strategy.
“Hmm… How about this?”
***
Two days later, Heo Hu met with the Ryukyu envoy to convey Hyang’s response.
“His Majesty commanded me to tell you this: ‘Give them 10,000 Eulshik rifles and 50 Eulshik hwacha, along with sufficient ammunition.’ Moreover, he ordered that we only collect payment for the originally agreed quantity.”
“Such boundless grace!”
At Heo Hu’s words, the Ryukyu envoy sincerely rose from his seat and performed a deep bow toward Gyeongbok Palace.
After the deep bow, the Ryukyu envoy repeatedly bent his waist to Heo Hu, expressing his gratitude.
“Thank you, Your Excellency. Truly, thank you!”
“Think nothing of it. I merely conveyed His Majesty’s decision.”
“Still, thank you!”
“However, I have one proposal.”
“Yes?”
The Ryukyu envoy’s face tensed at the word ‘proposal.’
So it wasn’t free after all!
“Wh-what might it be?”
Territory cession? Or hostages?
Watching the Ryukyu envoy swallow nervously, Heo Hu conveyed Hyang’s proposal.
“We wish to enter the sugar business together with your country.”
After sugar began being imported in large quantities from Ming, Joseon’s sugar consumption had increased dramatically.
In this situation, sugar was the first item to be hoarded as soon as the war between Joseon and Ming broke out. Fortunately, since sugar was a state monopoly, they could control disruptive movements, but problems persisted after the war.
Whether by imperial order or not, Ming’s sugar merchants had begun manipulating prices.
Therefore, the empire needed a stable supply source, and Hyang intended to use Ryukyu for this purpose.
“A joint venture…”
After pondering Heo Hu’s words briefly, the Ryukyu envoy soon nodded.
This isn’t bad for our kingdom. Rather, if we can use this opportunity to have Joseon—no, Imperial troops stationed here, we can secure our safety! Plus there’s economic benefit!
“I will report this to His Majesty and return with an answer. However, since this benefits both countries, I’m sure the response will be positive.”
Heo Hu smiled and responded to the envoy’s words.
“I look forward to it.”