[T/N: Small fire cart in previous translation is now known as Small Hwacha. Read on hwacha here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hwacha]

Wan, his expression still full of disbelief, confronted Hyang.

“What exactly happened during the Mexica Conquest?”

“To suppress the enemy in close-quarters combat, you need to unload a large number of rounds into them at once. The problem is that the standard-issue Hwacha is too bulky to keep up with fast-moving comrades. The alternative that emerged was to use thrown explosives.”

“That issue was pointed out in previous battles, and countermeasures have already been developed, have they not? One was to have soldiers carry more grenades, and the other was the Type-Gap Light Hwacha created by the Emperor Emeritus[1].”

Hyang nodded at Wan’s words.

“That’s correct. However, they proved insufficient during the urban warfare that took place in Tenochtitlan, the capital of the Mexica.”

Hyang’s explanation could be summarized as follows.

The campaign to capture Tenochtitlan inevitably devolved into urban warfare. The Mexica capital was a city filled with narrower alleys than anticipated, which the enemy skillfully used to launch continuous small-scale ambushes against our forces. Consequently, our troops were forced to break down into smaller units to fight, in the worst cases operating in squads[2]. Encounters with the enemy at point-blank range were commonplace, frequently erupting into hand-to-hand combat. While the native warriors allied with our forces handled most of these situations, there were times when they could not.

In such cases, thrown explosives were effective, but they were impossible to use if the distance was too short, as our own soldiers could be wounded by the shrapnel. The optimal response was to annihilate the enemy with the Type-Gap Light Hwacha, but in sudden, close-range encounters, the gunner often failed to fire in time. This led to a situation where veteran soldiers or experienced officers of Pacification Commissioner rank and above would fire first to encourage their subordinates to open fire. However, the slow firing rate of the standard-issue long gun gave the enemy time to react. This, in turn, led to veterans and officers using the Type-Gap Light Hwacha themselves.

After explaining this much, Hyang paused to wet his throat before continuing.

In this type of urban combat, the Type-Gap Light Hwacha had its advantages, but it also had drawbacks. Its primary disadvantage was that it was larger and heavier than the standard-issue long gun. Furthermore, officers like Pacification Commissioners had to command their men and maintain communication with their superiors. For them, the large and heavy Type-Gap Light Hwacha was a considerable burden.

“…And that is why I created this Small Hwacha.”

“Hmm…”

After listening to Hyang’s explanation, Wan picked up the Small Hwacha from the table and began to inspect it from every angle.

“It is certainly light. Its small size makes it well-suited for officers with many duties to carry. How many rounds does the magazine hold?”

“Thirty rounds.”

“Judging by the size of the magazine, it seems to use pistol rounds. Its effective range must be shorter than a long gun, then?”

“However, its ability to pour out fire at close range is second to none, comparable to the Type-Gap Light Hwacha.”

“Hmm…”

Wan nodded at Hyang’s words, examining the Small Hwacha, its magazine, and the bullets inside. Then, he looked at Hyang with a curious expression.

“These are not standard pistol rounds, are they?”

“The rim of the existing pistol rounds protrudes too much, making them impossible to use in a magazine. So, I created a rimless cartridge.”

“…You have long advocated for the development of new ammunition, haven’t you?”

“Indeed. For that reason, the production of this Small Hwacha, the new cavalry pistol, and the new pistol ammunition will be handled exclusively by the New Frontier.”

At Hyang’s confident declaration, Wan wore an expression of sheer disbelief.

“You even created a cavalry pistol?”

“That, too, was based on the lessons from the last Mexica Conquest. There were many complaints that the pistol’s six-round capacity was too small. If a rider failed to reload at the right moment, they would have to face sword-wielding enemies that surrounded them. We suffered considerable cavalry losses in that process.”

Even if their spearheads were made of obsidian, a spear was still a spear. Facing multiple enemies armed with spears from atop a horse was a fight that almost guaranteed death.

“This is the new cavalry pistol.”

Hyang, explaining with excitement, presented the new weapon in question.

“Wow~.”

Unlike Hyeon, who forgot his age and let out a string of impressed exclamations, Wan meticulously examined the new cavalry pistol.

“This one also uses a magazine, I see. How many rounds does it hold?”

“Twelve rounds.”

“So the magazine is inserted in front of the trigger guard. Hmm…”

After pondering for a moment, Wan soon realized something.

Why am I deliberating over this? I’m the Regent, aren’t I? The decision to adopt it is Hyeon’s responsibility, not mine. The problem is…

Wan turned his head to look at Hyeon. Then he looked up at the sky.

It’s already over.

The new Emperor of the realm was clinging to the Emperor Emeritus, his eyes sparkling as he fired off questions, and the Emperor Emeritus was responding with a gratified expression.

Good grief… Isn’t this the very picture of a grandson delighted with a new toy and the grandfather pleased to see it? I heard that boys in the empire these days play war with wooden guns instead of wooden swords… Are they using real long guns and pistols here?

Realizing the decision had already been made, Wan quickly changed his line of thinking.

No! This is a good opportunity for me as well! The New Frontier needs to build a foundation to support itself! Of course, we have no worries with the grain produced from its vast lands, but we also need industry! If so, that Small Hwacha and cavalry pistol will be a great help! This is a good chance for me to reduce my own headaches!

Having reached a positive conclusion, Wan looked at Hyeon.

“What does Your Majesty think?”

Hyeon answered Wan’s question without delay.

“I believe the problems the Emperor Emeritus has pointed out will also be an issue in Florence. The cities of Italy, including Florence, are infamous for their maze-like alleys. Therefore, the weapons the Emperor Emeritus has brought will be an excellent solution. Furthermore, if New Frontier handles their exclusive production, it will be of great help to their self-reliance. I will, of course, have to discuss it with the ministers, but I intend to move toward adopting them as much as possible.”

Wan nodded at Hyeon’s answer.

“That is a fine idea. By the way…”

His expression now much more relaxed, Wan examined the Small Hwacha and cavalry pistol and spoke to Hyang.

“They look quite stylish.”

Hyang grinned at Wan’s comment and replied.

“I think so too.”

When you look at early automatic weapons, the German ones are handsomely designed!

The Small Hwacha in question was based on the MP34, and the cavalry pistol was based on the Mauser C96.

***

While Hyang’s creation of the Small Hwacha was partly motivated by his analysis of the lessons from the Mexica Conquest, the biggest reason was, as expected, his inner geek.

“If machine guns have appeared, then submachine guns have to come next! That’s just the unwritten rule!”

And so, Hyang decided to create a submachine gun and put his plan into action, but it was not an easy task.

Ideally, I’d make a Thompson, or maybe an MP38…

However, his reality was grim. Both of those submachine guns used parts made through milling, a complex machining process.

No matter how much I’m the Regent, and this is the New Frontier…

The New Frontier was still heavily dependent on the homeland for many things. Just developing a new firearm, let alone new proprietary ammunition for it, was something he had to be discreet about. If he were to adopt a milling process that consumed enormous amounts of time and money, the project would be shelved immediately.

At least the Type-Gap Light Hwacha has good firepower…

Hyang, who knew well what was possible and what was not, looked for an alternative.

“But it’s not like I can make a Sten or a Grease Gun, can I?”

Performance was one issue, but the psychological resistance from the people who would be using these weapons was also significant. When he showed the conceptual drawings for the Thompson, MP38, Sten, and Grease Gun, the reactions from the imperial army officers were largely the same.

“‘Proposal A’ looks quite decent, but the rest are a bit…”

“If you order us to use them, we will obey, but…”

“I know what you mean. Tsk!”

“Ah, no, Your Majesty! We will use them effectively!”

As soon as Hyang clicked his tongue, the officers turned pale and changed their tune, but Hyang waved his hand with a nonchalant expression.

“No, don’t mind me. They’re just drafts anyway. I haven’t even decided whether to proceed with them. I was just curious about your opinions.”

“In that case…”

“They are just things I sketched out as they came to mind.”

“Then, if we may be so bold, please exclude ‘Proposal C’ and ‘D’.”

“…I’ll keep that in mind.”

After dismissing the officers, Hyang stared at the sketches of the Sten and Grease Gun and muttered to himself.

“I guess ugly is ugly, no matter the era, huh?”

The result of this trial and error was the Small Hwacha, based on the MP34. It minimized the use of machined parts to cut costs as much as possible and used a traditional wooden stock to reduce psychological resistance. The newly proposed cavalry pistol was no different.

“They’re whining that six shots is like pissing on a frozen foot, so isn’t a twelve-shot, magazine-fed pistol the best? Besides, when Winston Churchill served as a cavalry officer, didn’t he get out of many crises by using a Mauser while everyone else was using six-shot revolvers? And finally, where will this cavalry pistol be used the most? The Northern Territories, right? The Northern Territories, Manchuria! And when you think of Manchuria, this is the gun! Whether it’s carried by the independence army, the nationalist army, the communist army, or the Japanese army—wait, maybe not the Japanese army? Anyway, isn’t this the one gun that, no matter who carries it, is largely historically accurate?”

Hyang worked hard to convince himself.

When he first considered an automatic pistol, Hyang’s initial thought was the Colt 45. However, he immediately dismissed it as a candidate.

It’s great and all, but the ammunition capacity is lacking. Six shots, seven shots… it’s all the same. And look at the Mauser. Doesn’t it have such classic style? Compared to a Glock, the Colt has a classic charm, but it’s still no match for the Mauser!

Hyang had chosen the Mauser purely based on his own nerdy criteria. And this choice would become a topic of discussion back at Gyeongbok Palace.

***

Although Hyeon had made his decision, there were still procedures to follow. This was especially true for weapons-related projects, which involved a great deal of money and required strict adherence to protocol.

Therefore, Hyeon immediately placed the matter on the agenda, and the ministers carefully read the distributed copies, weighing the pros and cons.

Hyang, participating in the meeting as an observer and advisor, watched the ministers’ reactions and muttered inwardly.

Just as I expected…

Han Myeonghoe, who had become Prime Minister, seemed to have already decided to approve it.

His Majesty has made his decision, so I will follow it. We can find a way to deal with the budget later. Besides, with the Emperor Emeritus sitting right there, you want me to oppose it? You wanna die?

Han Myeonghoe was almost instinctively watching Hyang’s reactions, paying no mind to the Regent, Wan.

In contrast, Lim Sunwook, who had risen to Left Deputy Prime Minister, sighed continuously as he flipped through the report.

The Left Deputy Prime Minister will naturally be opposed. And the Right Deputy Prime Minister…

Jang Hangseon, who had been promoted from Minister of Defense to Right Deputy Prime Minister, had a complicated expression.

My heart wants to adopt them unconditionally, but the budget is the problem.

‘Strengthening national defense is crucial, but the livelihood of the people must not be sacrificed for it.’

This was Jang Hangseon’s firm belief.