At the statement by Hyang that "mass production is impossible," Sejong and the ministers burst out in anger. In particular, Sejong, with a face full of anger, confronted Hyang.
"Why is it impossible?"
"Because the current situation in Joseon makes it impossible."
"So, why is it impossible? This is different from what you've been saying all along! Your belief was that we should find a way to make it possible, not that it's impossible!"
"Your Majesty, with the current situation in Joseon, it is impossible. The reason isā¦."
"You brat!"
Sejong shouted. However, Hyang only wore a bitter expression.
'One of the most infuriating things is when someone takes something away from you. But what can you do when the situation is a mess?'
Seeing Sejong unable to calm down, Hwang Hee interjected.
"Your Majesty, please calm down. There must be a reason for this."
"Hmm~. Hmm~."
At Hwang Hee's words, Sejong took a deep breath. Barely calming down, Sejong glared at Hyang and spoke.
"Explain the reason."
"Yes, Your Majesty. To be precise, the production of Dukgap-style gunpowder is possible. However, mass production is impossible."
"Why?"
In response to Sejong's question, Hyang explained the reasons.
- To produce Dukgap-style gunpowder, high-purity acetic acid and sulfuric acid are required. Given the current situation in Joseon, it is difficult to obtain large amounts of vinegar and sulfur.
- There is also the issue of cotton fabric. The high-quality cotton fabric without lint, which is a key material for Dukgap-style gunpowder, is scarce. Currently, the 5-thread fabric called jeongpo is only used for tax payments, and the 3-thread and 4-thread fabrics are so poor that they are used as currency.
"As I explained, using high-purity acids requires skilled craftsmen. Of course, there are skilled craftsmen, as seen in the Office of Supervising Engineers and the Military Equipment Bureau. However, the number of such craftsmen is too small for mass production.
"Another issue with the main ingredient of Dukgap-style gunpowder, nitroglycerin, is the source of its main component, castor oil."
"Why? Is castor oil also an imported material?"
"No, it is a product of Joseon."
"Then why is it a problem?"
"Because the main components of castor oil are pig bile and cow bile."
"Ah!"
At Hyang's answer, Sejong and the ministers simultaneously sighed.
* * *
To produce nitroglycerin, a large amount of glycerin is needed. However, in the current situation without 21st-century petrochemical industries, the only method Hyang could choose was to extract glycerin from the soap-making process.
However, the supply of raw materials was a problem. The easiest to think of was pig fat, which has a body fat percentage of 15%.
Mathematically speaking, if a pig weighs 100 kg, it has 15 kg of fat. Even if all the fat is recovered during the butchering process, it is not 100%, and the glycerin extracted through the saponification process is even less.
"To put it simplyā¦ even if all the people in Joseon ate pork three times a day, it would be impossible to obtain enough glycerin for military use."
Spinning the pen and examining the results, Hyang shook his head.
"Whether in the 21st century or now, eco-friendly natural products are economically disastrousā¦ Damn! Even if petrochemical industries are the main cause of environmental destruction, long live petrochemical industries! Long live heavy chemical industries!"
* * *
"What a pity. It would have been better if we didn't know about this excellent gunpowder. If we didn't knowā¦."
At Sejong's lament, the ministers nodded.
"I will give up on this. Your Majesty, giving up in defense is the path to national ruin."
At Hyang's rebuttal, Sejong shouted.
"Who doesn't know that! But what can we do with the current situation in Joseon!"
"Why do you take on the responsibility, Your Majesty! Isn't it to overcome the difficult situation in Joseon!"
Sejong froze at Hyang's argument.
Looking at Sejong, Hyang raised his voice.
"Even now, I, along with General Choi Hae-san and General Lee Cheon, and the craftsmen, are working hard to find a solution! Your Majesty, I believe survival is a challenge! Survival is a challenge against death! Giving up is death! Prince Hyang! The word 'give up' is unknown to me!"
"You are right!"
Sejong trembled with emotion.
"When I ascended the throne, I resolved to do everything for the prosperity of Joseon! You have reminded me of something I had momentarily forgotten. You are a loyal minister! Ministers, listen! Gather your scattered minds! Dedicate your lives to the success of the project!"
The ministers, also caught up in the emotion, responded in unison.
"We will dedicate our lives to your command!"
Later, the exhausted ministers all muttered.
"We shouldn't have done the 51st District inspection. This guy's mouth is a curseā¦."
* * *
As he said in front of Sejong, Hyang never gave up on the mass production of glycerin.
One day, while busy, he suddenly sat up in bed.
"Vegetable oil! Well done, my brain! You've earned your keep again!"
The next day, as soon as it was light, Hyang rushed to the 51st District and found Choi Hae-san. Choi Hae-san, who was also looking for Hyang, ran over with a bright face.
"Your Highness! I've been waiting for you!"
"General! I think I've found a method for castor oil."
"I also have an idea!"
Realizing they had the same topic, there was a moment of awkwardness. Hyang composed himself and spoke.
"General, you go first."
"Your Highness, you go firstā¦."
"It's fine."
At Hyang's insistence, Choi Hae-san spoke first.
"I think using soybeans might be a good idea."
"I had the same thought!"
Hyang and Choi Hae-san immediately started making soybean oil and began the experiment. After confirming the results, they discussed together.
"Does it seem good?"
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"Let's report to Your Majesty!"
"Yes!"
Upon receiving the report, Sejong was greatly pleased and looked at the ministers.
"The Prince has achieved another success!"
"That's right!"
"By this, we can further strengthen the defense of Joseon!"
"We congratulate you!"
"We congratulate you!"
In the process of obtaining soybeans, the soybeans from the fields connected to the livestock farm on Naebeol Island were used first. This was because it was confirmed that the soybean residue after oil extraction could be used as feed for cattle and pigs.
However, the soybeans from the livestock farm's fields were not enough to meet the demand, so Joseon became the first country in world history to officially recycle resources.
The effort to obtain oil was a "war with the kitchen." Pig fat and beef fat were often used in cooking because they gave a savory taste when frying or roasting.
As a result, the government paid money to collect pig and cow bile, leading to the creation of the term "General of the Kitchen."
The government's full-scale "war with the kitchen" began because of soybeans.
At the time, soybeans were one of the most important foods in Joseon. Given that it was a country known for its "fermented foods," the demand for soybeans was enormous.
To solve this situation, Sejong came up with the best solution.
"Farmers who volunteer to move to the northern frontier and plant soybean fields will have their harvests purchased entirely by the government! This will solve both the settlers' livelihood and the raw material supply problem!"
"I will follow your command!"
This method led to a different result from the original history, with a significant increase in the number of farmers willing to move to the north.
Through various attempts, Joseon secured a way to significantly increase the production of Dukgap-style gunpowder. However, Hyang's expression did not brighten much.
"Considering the current consumption, the increased production is not enough. The amount used by the military has increased, but the amount used by civilians is also significant."
Frowning at the reports from the Ministry of Works, which were piled up on one side of his desk, Hyang muttered while looking at the world map on the wall.
"Indeed, it's the southern regionsā¦."
* * *
"Is that all?"
After the heated debate about gunpowder, Sejong looked at Hyang with a slightly disappointed expression.
At Sejong's question, Hyang shook his head.
"No, the most important things are left."
"The most important things?"
"First, I will show you the musket. General."
"Yes, Your Highness. Bring the musket soldiers!"
"Yes, General!"
A short while later, a group of musket soldiers entered the demonstration area.
"Attention! Attention! Take your positions! Left face!"
Click!
Following the officer's command, the musket soldiers, who had the long muskets on their right shoulders, moved in unison to face Sejong.
"Presentāarms!"
"Chung!"
At the officer's command, the musket soldiers simultaneously saluted.
Sejong, returning the salute, praised the soldiers and the generals.
"Seeing the soldiers' precision and discipline, they are