Having grasped a certain direction regarding personal weapons, Hyang immediately began working on the support firearms.
With a blank sheet in front of him, he crossed his arms and muttered, "Considering the level of the artisans, I could be greedy, but since other things aren't keeping up... it really narrows down the options."
Hyang opened a book he had set aside and examined the lists.
"The new artillery and the fire cart... these also need development, but I need something that can instill fear in the enemy more definitively."
Hyang tapped his fingers on the entries for the new artillery and fire cart, lost in thought.
When it came to artillery, the most famous were the new artillery and fire cart.
Moreover, the actual battle records of the new artillery and fire cart were not to be ignored.
However, Hyang felt a lack of resources.
"I must show visible results before the year ends. The ministers won't just sit idle because of the budget, will they?" While pondering what would be the best support weapon, Hyang finally reached a conclusion.
"As expected, there is no other answer. The Big Bang Cannon. In the sea, we have the turtle ship; on land, we have the Big Bang Cannon. It’s a cliché, but..."
Hyang straightened his back.
"For impact, it’s the best!"
After deciding on the Big Bang Cannon, Hyang fell into another dilemma.
"Will it be Mk. 1 or Mk. 2 when actually made... or perhaps Mk. 2-1?" The 'Mk.
1', 'Mk.
2', and 'Mk.
2-1' that Hyang designated were arbitrary classifications based on how the Big Bang Cannon would explode.
The Mk.
1 and Mk.
2, and Mk.
2-1 had troubled Hyang for quite some time even in the 21st century.
Mk.
1 was the scene we generally saw in dramas, where the gunpowder inside exploded, shattering the iron shell and sending fragments flying in all directions to kill the enemy.
Mk.
2, on the other hand, ignited from within, and when the gunpowder was injected through a hole, flames and iron shards would spray out.
Due to the position of the fuse, the cannon would rotate, spraying flames and iron shards in all directions to inflict casualties on the enemy.
The reason Mk.
2 came about was that the black powder used by Joseon had a slow combustion rate.
It was difficult for the explosive pressure to exceed the critical point and shatter the body while burning quickly in an instant, scattering fragments and flames everywhere.
Instead, it was designed to inject gunpowder and spray flames and iron shards through the hole as it opened.
When Hyang first encountered this argument, he tilted his head in confusion.
"Why? The Big Bang Cannon has two holes, right? One for inserting the fuse and the other for the gunpowder. So why just one?" Unable to find a clear solution to his question, Hyang simply remembered it as interesting and forgot the fact.
As time passed, the actual Big Bang Cannon was excavated, and news of an exhibition was announced.
Having just quit his job and preparing a forge, Hyang recalled the past and immediately went to the exhibition.
Upon arriving, he circled around the glass wall protecting the excavated Big Bang Cannon, examining it closely.
After a long time of scrutinizing the Big Bang Cannon, Hyang stepped back.
"One problem solved, but another arises?" The problem Hyang had solved was the 'lid lock' issue.
According to records, after installing the fuse, it was covered with a lid lock.
"I don’t see any special locking mechanism; how was it secured?" Hyang's question was answered as he observed the actual object.
The lid of the Big Bang Cannon was squarely carved, with two round holes for inserting the fuse in the center.
The answer lay in the carved square.
Though the carved part appeared square, it was actually rectangular.
And the walls had thick grooves carved deeply.
Thus, after placing the lid lock, turning it 90 degrees would secure it in the groove.
Having solved one problem, another arose.
The holes for injecting gunpowder and iron shards were smaller than expected.
The triangular iron shards seen in various restorations were quite large.
The CG shown at the exhibition depicted inserting the iron shards before placing the fuse and only injecting gunpowder through the side hole.
"That wouldn’t distribute the fragments evenly, would it? That’s troubling..."
To resolve such doubts, Hyang diligently searched the internet.
One video he found only deepened his questions.
It was about the emergence of Mk.
2-1. The video aired in the early 2000s, featuring a professor from a naval research institution.
In it, they inserted triangular iron shards and gunpowder into the fuse hole, placed the fuse, and then covered it with the lid lock.
After covering the lid lock, they inserted a lead plate into the gap between the body of the Big Bang Cannon and the lid lock, hammering it in to secure the lid.
In the subsequent fire test, the Big Bang Cannon poured out fragments from the lid lock and was left empty.
The empty body of the Big Bang Cannon showed no significant issues.
Ultimately, still unable to resolve his doubts, Hyang decided to find the answers himself, leading to the result that made his cousin grab him by the collar behind the forge.
Remembering the tumultuous memories of the 21st century, Hyang shook his head vigorously while holding a gold pen.
"Why should I be troubled by this? Since I’ve decided to make it! Let’s go with Mk. 21! The 21st-century version!" Hyang's choice was to maximize productivity and lethality.
Observing the ministers discussing the etymology, Choi Hae-san spoke up.
"This Big Bang Cannon is a creation personally planned and designed by His Highness the Crown Prince."
With Choi Hae-san's explanation, the attention of Sejong and the ministers turned to Hyang.
As their gazes focused on him, Hyang spoke confidently.
"My father will not be disappointed."
At Hyang's words, Sejong replied with a proud expression.
"You have never disappointed me so far. General, proceed."
"Yes, Your Majesty. First, if you look at the structure of the Big Bang Cannon, you will see that it is filled with gunpowder inside the shell. Once the fuse ignites, it explodes. It looks very simple on the outside, but there are very intricate tricks hidden within."
"Intricate tricks?"
"You can control the explosion time."
Choi Hae-san explained how to use the Big Bang Cannon.
"Wrap the fuse around the fuse hole, insert it into the Big Bang Cannon, and cover it with the lid. Then, fill the hole on the side with gunpowder and seal it. After that, place it into the toy filled with gunpowder and fire it. It will fly and explode at a distance of 300 to 500 paces."
Upon hearing Choi Hae-san's explanation, Sejong spoke up.
"So, wrapping the fuse around the fuse hole controls the time?"
"Indeed."
"And the power?"
"I will show you right now. Execute!" At Choi Hae-san's command, soldiers entered the demonstration area with a large cannon and the Big Bang Cannon.
The soldiers, stopping in front of Sejong, set down what they had brought and saluted.
"Charge!" The soldiers, after saluting, moved the large cannon and the Big Bang Cannon to the center of the demonstration area.
The muzzle of the large cannon was aimed at a clearing about 100 jang (approximately 330 meters) away on Mount Myeok.
By now, scarecrows dressed in red and blue target boards, armor, and shields were densely set up in the clearing.
The soldiers who set up the large cannon prepared the Big Bang Cannon.
They fitted the fuse hole with the fuse, covered it with the lid, and secured it tightly with a dedicated tool.
Similarly, they filled the hole on the side with gunpowder and secured it with the same tool.
After finishing the preparation of the Big Bang Cannon, the soldiers lifted it and placed it into the large cannon.
Then, they pulled the lever attached to the rear of the large cannon and hid behind the protective wall created at the back.
"Your Majesty, please cover yourself for a moment. It’s to prevent any unforeseen danger."
"I understand."
At Choi Hae-san's words, Sejong and the ministers hid behind the protective wall set up in front of the podium.
Once Sejong was safely concealed, the military officer standing next to Choi Hae-san waved a red flag vigorously.
"Fire! Fire! Fire!"
Boom! Bang! Crash! As the soldiers hidden behind the protective wall pulled the string, the large cannon fired the Big Bang Cannon.
With a whistling sound like a whistle, the Big Bang Cannon flew across the sky and fell into the clearing, soon exploding with a tremendous noise.
"Wow!" The shockwave that followed the loud explosion made Sejong let out a small groan.
"Your Majesty! What is the matter?" At Sejong's groan, Hwang Hee, who was right next to him, asked urgently.
At Hwang Hee's question, Sejong waved his hand.
"It’s nothing. Just a moment of surprise."
"Your Majesty, you may rise."
"Ugh!" As he exerted strength in his thighs to stand up, Hyang muttered to himself.
"He really needs to lose a bit more weight... should he reduce his food intake?" He murmured in a small voice, and whether he heard it or not, Sejong shouted at Hyang.
"You brat! Are you trying to starve your father!"
"Oh, no! Just take a look at the target!" In a hurry to change the subject, Hyang saw Sejong turning his head while muttering complaints under his breath.
"Huh..."
Sejong and the ministers, who turned to look at the target, could not close their mouths.
From a distance, the targets and scarecrows set up around the clearing were in complete disarray.
"Shall we go closer to take a look?"
"Yes, let’s!" Curious, Sejong was the first to step forward, striding ahead.
"This is... this is the power of a single shell..."
The ministers who arrived at the place with the scarecrows could not hide their astonishment.
There was not a single scarecrow standing properly.
The posts that had fixed the target boards were scattered everywhere along with the boards, and the scarecrows dressed in armor were similarly strewn about.
Sejong and the ministers examined the fallen target boards and scarecrows.
"Huh..."
"If they were real people... I don’t even want to think about it."
If they were real people... it would have been hell.
The ministers shook their heads at the sight of the target boards and armor riddled with holes.
As they said, if it had been used against those in armor, it would have been a terrifying situation, even in dreams.
"If there were any survivors in this situation, it might be more merciful to kill them."
Sejong muttered while looking at the target board in his hand.
The target board in Sejong's hand had a large hole that could fit a fist.
Not all the ministers showed negative reactions.
Jo Mal-saeng, in charge of the Ministry of Military Affairs, completely lost his composure.
"Your Highness! Crown Prince! Is it possible to mass-produce this shell immediately? No, please say it is possible!"
"Well, with a little effort..."
At Hyang's answer, Jo Mal-saeng immediately prostrated himself in front of Sejong.
"Your Majesty! We must mass-produce this shell immediately! While the long guns and cavalry guns are also marvelous weapons, compared to this shell, they are nothing! If we can mass-produce this shell, we can solve the problem with the Jurchens right away! Not just the Jurchens! We can completely subjugate that vile Tsushima! No, not just Tsushima; we can wipe out the main forces of those pirates!"
"Hmm..."
"Your Majesty! We must mass-produce it!"
"Hmm..."
Jo Mal-saeng's urgent plea made Sejong's expression waver.
However, Sejong decided to take a moment to pause.
"We have confirmed the power, so let’s investigate further before making a decision. It could burden Joseon’s capabilities."
"Your Majesty! If our capabilities are lacking, we can increase them! If we lack the foundation, we will search every kitchen and toilet in Joseon, and if we lack resources, we will procure them through smuggling! If we lack charcoal, we will cut down every tree in Joseon! We must mass-produce it!" Jo Mal-saeng seemed ready to grab Sejong's pant leg and cling to it.
Hwang Hee interjected.
"Minister! Did you not hear the Emperor's words? He said to discuss and hear more details! Why the rush? Stand up! What a spectacle this is!"
"Ugh..."
At Hwang Hee's admonition, Jo Mal-saeng straightened up and looked at Sejong.
Seeing Jo Mal-saeng's earnest expression as he looked at Sejong, Hyang muttered to himself, "Why does that cat from the movie come to mind?"
"Explain why the Big Bang Cannon exhibits such power."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
At Sejong's command, Choi Hae-san began to explain.
- The shell of the cannon was made as thin as possible.
It could withstand the shock of firing and impact, but not the internal explosion.
- Inside the shell, small iron balls made of iron were also applied.
These balls increase the number of fragments and enhance lethality.
- The power of the gunpowder was increased.
Although it did not use explosive or special gunpowder, it maintained its power by skipping the process of mixing soil with the gunpowder.
"Indeed, the effort is evident."
At Sejong's evaluation, Choi Hae-san bowed his head and replied.
"The part that required effort was adjusting the thickness of the shell. The rest simply followed the decisions made by His Highness the Crown Prince."
Sejong's gaze toward Hyang contained many thoughts.
As he looked at Hyang, Sejong asked Choi Hae-san a question.
"Earlier, the Minister of Military Affairs requested the mass production of the Big Bang Cannon. Is it possible?"
"I believe it would be possible if gunpowder is sufficiently supplied."
At Choi Hae-san's answer, Hwang Hee interjected.
"General, is it truly possible? Earlier, His Highness the Crown Prince mentioned that the reason mass production of special gunpowder is impossible is due to a lack of artisans. Based on what I know, to mass-produce such a remarkable shell, many excellent artisans would be needed. Wouldn't the same problem arise?"
Choi Hae-san nodded at Hwang Hee's point.
"Your Excellency's observation is correct. However, His Highness the Crown Prince considered that aspect when creating this shell."