It took ten days to prepare for the demonstration of the cannons and artillery at the Ministry of Military Affairs.
The reason it took so long was that the originally planned small-scale demonstration of just the cannons and artillery transformed into a full-scale firepower demonstration involving cavalry and infantry.
"Since I ascended to the throne, I have not seen the true form of our Joseon army since the last invasion of Tsushima. This time, I will also witness the demonstration of the cavalry and infantry along with the cannons."
"Understood!" Following King Sejong's command, soldiers from the 10th Division—initially expanded to the 12th Division right after the coronation and then reduced back to the 10th—were summoned, and the artillerymen and cannon operators were selected.
While preparing the soldiers, the location for the demonstration was also decided.
"The riverside in Yongsan would be the best, wouldn't it?"
"That place is indeed the best."
Based on the ministers' decision, a demonstration site was set up in Yongsan.
The solid ground facing the riverside was designated for the infantry and cavalry demonstration, while the sandy beach by the river was chosen for the cannons and artillery.
However, it was not the end just because the location was decided.
Scarecrows to serve as targets for the soldiers had to be made, and wooden boards to be hit by arrows, cannons, and artillery were painted, leading to sleepless nights of work.
Then, ten days later, the long-awaited demonstration was held.
Although it was a busy time for farming, upon hearing that the king was coming, farmers and nobles flocked to the roads leading from Namdaemun to Yongsan.
"Step aside! His Majesty is passing!"
As the grand music of the military band and the shouts of the attendants echoed, the people gathered on the street knelt down.
"What an honor it is to see His Majesty!"
"Long live the King!"
"Long live!"
"May you live long and prosper!"
Since the implementation of the inoculation, the people's support for Sejong had become nearly absolute.
Life was still tough, but just the fact that he had prevented the deadly epidemic of smallpox made the people willing to pretend to die for him if he commanded it.
As Sejong ascended the temporary platform set up for the demonstration, the general commanding the soldiers shouted loudly to the troops.
"Military salute!"
"Attention!"
Responding to the soldiers' salute, Sejong sat down and commanded, "Begin."
"Yes!"
Following Sejong's command, the demonstration of the Joseon army commenced.
The demonstration began with the cavalry.
Clad in iron armor, leather armor, chainmail, and helmets, the cavalry formed ranks and began to move slowly.
"Is this a combination of spear cavalry and archers?"
As the demonstration started, Hyang's eyes sparkled as he unfolded a wooden tablet.
On the tablet, paper had been pre-inserted with items such as spear, sword, bow, cannon, and artillery written in Chinese characters, listing the items that needed to be checked.
These lists were prepared by Hyang to prevent any unforeseen accidents, such as accidentally writing in Hangul while being distracted by the demonstration.
"Hmm..."
Hyang carefully observed the spear cavalry preparing for the charge.
The spears used by the cavalry looked almost identical to those of the palace guards.
"Looking at the spear I saw in the palace..."
The specifications of the spear he remembered were a shaft length of 10 feet (210 cm) and a spearhead of 1 foot and 5 inches (31.5 cm).
As he recalled, Hyang muttered softly, "It's quite short."
Tilting his head, he marked a check on the pre-prepared items.
While Hyang was giving a negative evaluation, the cavalry began the actual demonstration.
"Fire!"
At the command of the cavalry commander, the archers positioned at the back of the formation released their arrows in unison.
Whoosh!!!
With a fierce sound of flight, the arrows flew in an arc towards the scarecrows set up in the distance.
"Charge!"
"Yah!"
"Wow!"
As soon as the command to charge was given, the spear cavalry kicked their horses' sides.
Thud thud thud!
The sound of galloping hooves shook the ground as the spear cavalry charged right up to the scarecrows, skillfully adjusting their speed and direction to jab at the scarecrows with their spears.
"Stab and retrieve? Slow down?"
Hyang continued to tilt his head, as the common sense he knew from the 21st century did not quite align with what he was witnessing.
According to the knowledge he gained from movies and the internet in the 21st century, cavalry served as the role of breaking through enemy lines.
The cavalry's job was to disrupt the enemy's front line with spears and then penetrate the enemy ranks with their swords.
The moment the cavalry stopped, they became easy prey for the infantry.
"Why are they deliberately slowing down their hard-won speed?"
Hyang kept tilting his head.
However, this was a misunderstanding on his part.
For the spear cavalry to perform effectively, their flanks needed protection.
Moreover, the attack route for the spear cavalry was limited to a straight line in front.
If the opposing cavalry was experienced, they could easily evade attacks by slightly twisting or leaning their bodies.
The basic strategy was to dive inside and counterattack.
And the Jurchens were indeed experienced riders.
Therefore, the method for the mounted spear technique in the Joseon military examination was as follows: The examinee had to stab at five scarecrows set up at regular intervals twice.
At this time, the examinee had to take five different stances each time they stabbed the scarecrow.
If they hit the scarecrow's face, they received 7 points, and they would earn an additional 7 points for each subsequent hit.
Later, when Hyang learned this fact, he sighed.
"Hoo~. Nothing is easy."
After the cavalry demonstration ended, the infantry demonstration followed.
While the archers provided cover, the spearmen and shield bearers formed a defensive line.
"The enemy is retreating! Charge!"
"Wow!"
At the command of the leader, some of the soldiers who had formed the defensive line surged forward with cheers.
However, the unit that had formed the front line maintained their formation and protected the main force.
After the charging unit cut down the imaginary scarecrows, the demonstration of the cavalry and regular infantry ended with cheers of victory.
"Next, we will have the demonstration of the cannons and artillery."
At the mention of the cannon demonstration, Hyang's eyes began to sparkle even more.
Shortly after, large and small cannons were brought out on carts for the demonstration.
"Starting with the largest, we have the Cheonja cannon, followed by the Jija cannon… and finally, the improved General cannon."
"Begin."
At Sejong's command, the commander shouted loudly to the artillerymen.
"Fire!"
Boom! Boom!
Following the command of the commander, the artillerymen fired the cannons.
Each time the cannons roared, large arrows (Daecheng) soared into the sky, creating water columns in the Han River.
"Wow!"
With each water column that rose in the Han River, the ministers gasped in admiration.
The ministers' admiration peaked when the General cannon was fired, as the arrows flew across the Han River towards Dongjak-dong, reaching the opposite riverbank.
"Impressive! How far can that reach?"
In response to Sejong's amazed question, the commander proudly replied,
"1300 paces (about 1.6 km)."
"Truly impressive! Crown Prince, what do you think?"
At Sejong's question, Hyang fell into thought and could not answer immediately.
"Crown Prince?"
Only after Sejong called him again did Hyang snap back to reality and hurriedly replied,
"Yes? Yes?"
"What do you think of the power of the General cannon?"
"It would be very useful on ships. The pirates tend to board our vessels for close combat, so if we can annihilate them before they get close, wouldn't that be the best?"
"Indeed."
As Sejong nodded, the commander looked at Hyang with a proud expression.
'At such a young age, he understands military strategy so well; this is the prosperity of Joseon!'
"Now, let us begin the demonstration of the artillery."
"Understood!"
Following the commander's orders, the soldiers who would operate the artillery stepped forward.
"That cart carries the Ilchong cannon."
"I see. Proceed."
"Fire!"
Bang! Bang! Bang!
At the commander's order, starting with the Ilchong cannon, various artillery pieces fired.
Only the Ilchong cannon was aimed at the Han River, while the others targeted a target about 100 paces (approximately 120 m) away.
When the demonstration ended, Sejong praised the commander.
"That was truly magnificent. Well done."
"Thank you very much!"
"Crown Prince, what do you think?"
"The commander and soldiers are so elite; it truly gives me confidence."
"Thank you very much!"
With the Crown Prince's praise, the commander bowed his head with a smile.
After finishing his words, Hyang turned to Sejong.
"Father, may I take a moment to inspect the targets and speak with the soldiers?"
"Why do you ask?"
"I have something to confirm."
At Hyang's response, Sejong narrowed his eyes. 'This kid? Does he have another scheme?' After a moment of contemplation, Sejong nodded.
"I grant you permission."
"Thank you! Commander, let us go together!"
Accompanied by the general who led the demonstration, Hyang headed towards the soldiers and weapons.
Upon seeing Hyang, the soldiers all stood at attention.
"We meet the Crown Prince!"
"Thank you for your hard work. I truly appreciate being able to sleep peacefully knowing soldiers like you are here!"
"Thank you very much!"
The soldiers' morale soared at Hyang's praise.
Observing the soldiers, Hyang carefully checked the situation.
"Did you prepare the armor they are wearing?"
"Yes!"
"I see..."
'No wonder.
They have all kinds of armor.'
In Joseon, when conscripting soldiers, the drafted soldiers had to provide their own weapons and armor.
Especially for the cavalry, they had to provide their own horses, so most of them were the sons of wealthy families.
'That's why, as the number of cavalry increased later, all sorts of people came in, and the real cavalry focused on studying for the civil service exam.
As a result, a vicious cycle led to the national defense falling apart...
Damn! I'm going off on a tangent again!'
After a brief self-criticism, Hyang diligently examined the equipment.
The items Hyang was most interested in were the cannons and artillery.
After inspecting the insides of the cannons, Hyang nodded.
"Indeed..."
Currently, the main cannons of the Joseon army were of the non-separation wood type.
The internal structure, resembling a long funnel combined with a can, could not use earth separation.
This was because the inner diameter of the powder chamber was wider than the narrowest part of the muzzle.
In such cases, only the large arrows could be used.
Nodding, Hyang examined the cannons rated as Cheonji Hyeonhwangga and then looked at the General cannon.
"It is of the separation wood type, isn't it?"
"Yes, Crown Prince."
"Hmm..."
With a thoughtful expression, Hyang gazed at the cannons. 'How should I modify that? Should I start by upgrading the artillery?'
As he pondered deeply, Hyang turned to the general.
"I would like to see the artillery."
"Yes, Crown Prince."
Heading to where the artillerymen were, Hyang carefully examined the artillery.
After inspecting the insides of the artillery and the arrows and powder used, he made his way to the target boards.
"Just as I thought."
Arriving at the target boards, Hyang nodded.
The arrows embedded in the targets were noticeably fewer than the number fired.
'With the single-shot multiple-target method, it can only suppress the area.'
While examining the target boards, Hyang posed a question to the commander who had followed him.
"What is the penetration power like?"
"Penetration power, you say?"
"The Jurchens must also wear armor, right?"
"Indeed."
"How does it compare to ours?"
"It can be considered quite similar. Smaller tribes mainly wear leather armor, while those with some strength wear chainmail or helmets."
"What would happen if we shot these artillery pieces at a helmet?"
At Hyang's question, the commander showed a troubled expression.
"I have not tested it... However, according to reports from the northern regions, there were accounts of Jurchens being killed within 40 paces (about 50 m)."
At the commander's response, Hyang stroked his chin. 'From the videos I saw online, arrows shot from close range were deflected, right? It seems I need to start from here.'
"Well done. Now, let us return."
"Yes, Crown Prince."
As Hyang walked back to where Sejong was, he muttered softly.