Episode 515: Far and near. (8) As
soon as they heard the word ‘wall’, all the ministers and ministers thought of the sa word. Thanks to
‘Myeong’,
the silence continued for a long ti.
‘What should I do with this?’
‘Oirat can take that artillery and use it against the bandits, but he can also use it against the Ming.’
‘If we do this wrong, won’t we be making a mistake?’
In a situation where various concerns were overflowing in silence, the first person to speak was Hyang.
“It seems like not only but also the captains have a lot of thoughts. But shouldn’t we avoid jumping to conclusions without proper knowledge?”
“That’s right. “Then what should I do?”
In response to Hwang Hee, Hyang shared her thoughts.
“First, I guess I’ll have to ask the lion again. What kind of artillery does Oirat want? Is it a toy specifically for Bigyeokjincheonroe or a gun? If it’s canvas, you’ll also need to figure out what size you want. You also need to know how much you want. And most importantly, they said they would pay the price properly. Shouldn’t we find out by what ans they will pay the price?”
Kim Jeom nodded loudly at Hyang’s last words.
“Ah! You must first know by what ans you will pay for it! “Nothing like cancer!”
The ministers around him slightly shook their heads at Kim Jeom’s firm words.
‘People have changed so much…’
But Hyang responded to Kim Jeom’s words with a smile.
“What the Left Deputy Pri Minister said is correct. “The most valuable things Oirat has may not be worth much to us.”
“These things are valuable only to Oirat…”
Hearing Hyang’s words, the ministers imdiately rembered what it was.
‘word?’
‘You an that? But horses are not very useful to us now…’
‘It’s probably not a problem with the horse itself, but a problem with the breed…’
* * *
As the economy progressed and the economy grew significantly, the demand for horses increased significantly.
However, the horses preferred by the Joseon people were not the small ponies like the existing Joseon horses or Mongolians, but large horses bred in large quantities through stallions imported from Arab countries.
“I already bought an expensive horse, so I should buy a well-worn one!”
“cancer! cancer!”
Those who had the ability to purchase and manage horses did not hesitate to purchase large Arab breed horses. This was because large horses were useful and good for showing off.
“Is it hereditary to like big cars even in the 21st century?”
People preferred the large Arab horses to the point where Hyang muttered this after hearing the story.
In addition, the Joseon language had serious disadvantages. Although he was small, he had great strength and endurance, and he was smart, but he had a dirty temper.
For example, to sharpen a horseshoe, you had to tie all of the horse’s legs and force it to lie down, then change the horseshoes.
However, horses brought in from Arab countries were smart and obediently obedient to their master’s commands if properly tad.
And the reason why this preference for Western horses could not help but beco popular was that the height of the Korean people increased as their nutritional status improved as they passed through the gyeongjang.
Horses that were so small that they had previously been called Guahama (果下馬) were ridden by relatively large people, creating a difficult situation for both the horses and the people.
* * *
In the end, Hehu had to et the ssenger of Oirat again and talk in more detail.
“… So what kind of artillery does Oirat want?”
“I want a siege gun.”
“Siege artillery?”
Heo Hu’s expression beca sharp as the lion answered.
“Although I am unfamiliar with military affairs, I do know that siege artillery is not a suitable weapon against bandits. Why siege artillery?”
The ssenger of Oirat responded to Heohu’s point with a perplexed expression.
“It’s a little embarrassing to tell you, but most of the places where thieves nest are on Earth…”
According to the ssenger’s explanation, the reason why siege artillery was needed was as follows.
-The places where bandits nest are important trade routes. Through this trade route, horses and sheep sold to the Ming and goods obtained from the Ming ca and went.
-Most of these trade routes have been used as trade routes since ancient tis.
-As nurous countries have risen and fallen along this trade route since ancient tis, there are many abandoned earthen fortresses and stone castles around this trade route.
-If those castles weren’t there, subduing the bandits wouldn’t be a big problem, but those castles make it difficult to subdue them.
-Therefore, siege artillery is needed to destroy the walls of those castles.
“Hmm…”
‘It seems plausible…’
Heo Hu, who was still looking at the lion with suspicious eyes, continued.
“Then how many guns does Oirat want?”
“There are 200 doors coming.”
“200 questions? “It must be quite expensive, right?”
“We Oirat can pay enough. You can pay in words, or in fiat currency or Korean currency.”
When the ssenger from Oirat ntioned the Korean currency, Heohu’s eyes widened.
“Myeong-currency or Joseon-currency? Did our Joseon banknotes end up there?”
To Heohu’s question mixed with surprise, the Lion of Oirat answered with a grin.
“The usefulness of the Korean currency is widely known.”
“exactly? “Hmm…”
Heo Hu, whose face brightened slightly, said to the ssenger as he organized the docunts and handed them over to his subordinate.
“I have heard Oirat’s request. “I will report to you above and then respond as soon as I co to a conclusion.”
At Huhu’s words, the ssenger of Oirat bowed his head politely and made a request.
“Please let us know good results.”
“I hope it will be beneficial to both countries.”
* * *
“Would you like to pay in fiat currency or Korean currency?”
After receiving Heo Hu’s report, the eyes of the local governnt officials all focused on Kim Jeom and the Minister of Finance and Economy.
“Did the Korean currency go up so much that the Oirat paid us Korean currency as proceeds from the sale of artillery pieces?”
In response to Hyang’s question, Kim Jeom asked back with a face full of doubts.
“Since the beginning of publication, a steady amount has been going abroad every year, and reports related to it have been increasing every year.”
“I heard that, but I’m surprised that so much Korean currency was spent that Oirat paid for the purchase of artillery in Korean currency.”
All the other ministers nodded at Hyang’s explanation.
Joseon and Oirat had no direct trade until now. Therefore, the words of the Oirat ssenger that he would pay in Korean currency for the purchase of 200 artillery pieces were surprising in themselves.
In response to Hyang’s words, Kim Jeom shared his thoughts.
“You are well aware of the fact that when Joseon currency leaves the battlefield, especially overseas, it must be exchanged for actual silver. The problem is that we don’t know where the bills that have been taken out of the country go. “I think the most reasonable reason is if it flowed into the transaction process at Masi.”
“That is the most likely, but the amount is surprising. The price we have set now is 80 taels of gold per piece of canvas. “200 guns are worth 16,000 taels of gold, so you can’t help but be surprised.”
The Minister of Finance and Economy responded to Hwang Hee’s words.
“It’s already been over 10 years since we issued currency. Considering the ti and the amount of travel abroad, I don’t think it’s impossible. And since we said fiat currency and Joseon currency, there may be more fictitious currency.”
As soon as the Minister of Finance and Economy finished speaking, Hyang opened his mouth.
“If you have a lot of fiat currency, you should not forget to adjust the amount by considering the exchange rate for real silver.”
“That’s right!”
“You must keep that in mind! “I will definitely invite people from the Ministry of Finance and Economy to attend the next eting.”
No sooner had Hyang finished speaking than Kim Jeom and the Minister of Finance and Economy answered loudly.
* * *
Silver was the most popular ans of paynt during this period. However, the exchange rates of gold and silver were different between the Ming Dynasty, the largest consur of silver, and other countries.
This was the sa in history before the intervention of incense. Thanks to this, European rchants made exchange profits by exchanging large amounts of silver and gold while traveling between Japan and Ming Europe.
And after Hyang intervened, Joseon was actively making foreign exchange profits between the Ming and Japanese countries.
* * *
After sorting out the issues related to sales proceeds, Hyang moved on to the next step.
“Now let us move on to the most important matter. 200 siege guns. “It’s called a siege gun, but it’s an Eul-style general fire cannon that’s smaller than the Myeongguk.”
Jo Mal-saeng imdiately responded to Hyang’s words.
“Even though it is smaller in size, it has much better range and power. Of course, the Byeong-sik General Hwa-tong, which is scheduled to be replaced with the Eul-sik Hwa-tong, is even more outstanding.”
“I know very well.”
Hyang gave a short answer to Jo Mal-saeng’s point and grumbled inwardly.
‘Who is the person who made that!’
The Byeong-style Janggun Hwa-tong was an improved version of the existing Eul-sik Janggun Hwa-tong. As higher quality steel was produced than before, the gun barrel itself was improved and even the rifling wire was dug to achieve greater range and accuracy.
And, as befits the Joseon people who were ‘serious about artillery,’ King Sejong and the military decided to hire him on the spot after seeing the demonstration. And Kim Jeom shed bloody tears.
“What I’m curious about is how threatening the number 200 really is.”
At Hyang’s point, Jo Mal-saeng turned his head and looked at Lee Jing-ok. Lee Jing-ok, who received the silent command, stood up and answered.
“If the Oirat is modeled after our Korean cavalry, it will operate five long-distance patrols at the sa ti. If so, it would be optimal to simultaneously suppress the bandits spread along the trade route.”
“What if I use it with concentration?”
“If soone who is good at military strategy concentrates on using it, he or she will be able to open a fairly large hole in the opponent’s defense line.”
Hwang Hee, who was listening to Lee Jing-ok’s explanation, asked a question on behalf of Hyang.
“What would happen if we were the target they were focusing on to break through?”
Lee Jing-ok answered Hwang Hee’s question clearly.
“It is difficult for the Eulsik General Hwatong to break down the walls of the fortress and camp built by our Joseon army. Don’t you know what the wall is made of?”
The ministers nodded at Lee Jing-ok’s answer. The newly built Bo and Jin in the north were built from the beginning, and the original fortresses in the south were rebuilt on a large scale and their walls were built with reinforced concrete. And as thick as possible.
Thanks to this, its defense power was enormous.
Lee Jing-ok, who boasted of an impregnable castle wall, continued his explanation in a confident voice.
“If they go over Joseon with 200 artillery pieces, they will regret it greatly. If they fire one shot, we will answer with five shots. “This is a figure that could be achieved just by mobilizing artillery located in the northern border area.”
Lee Jing-ok’s voice was full of pride. Hyang muttered to herself at Lee Jing-ok’s words.
‘I did my part too, but it’s really Pobangbu! ‘A nation of cannons!’
“therefore. So 200 guns is a lot of power that you need to be very careful with, right? ah! “Except for our Joseon Dynasty.”
“That’s right.”
“Hmm…”
After hearing Lee Jing-ok’s answer, Hyang closed her mouth and was lost in thought. Hyang, who had been nodding his head and calculating sothing for a while, looked at Hwang Hee.
“Captain Pri Minister.”
“Yes sir.”
“The price of artillery is definitely expensive, right?”
“That’s right. “Are you thinking about getting a discount?”
Hyang shook her head at Hwang Hee’s words.
“no. We plan to stick to the unit price as much as possible. If they really only intend to deal with thieves, they will reduce the quantity. “If they have different ideas, they will try to bargain by offering other ans of paynt other than currency.”
Hwang Hee’s eyes lit up at Hyang’s words.
“ah! Do you intend to find out their true intentions through that bargain? “What a good warning!”
The other ministers also nodded at Hwang Hee’s words.
After receiving Hwang Hee’s consent, Hyang continued.
“Even if Oirat offers other paynt thods, we will only accept currency. And as a result, if the number of artillery pieces taken by Oirat exceeds 100, an envoy is sent by na. “We are informing the emperor that we have sold artillery.”
Hwang Hee imdiately responded to Hyang’s words.
“Oirat said it was to be used to suppress bandits, but we were worried about the large number, so we reduced it as much as possible. However, if you tell us because you are concerned about sothing, it is a good justification. “It’s great because we can avoid the criticism that will be poured on us and at the sa ti, get on our nerves!”
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