Joseon Needs a Coup - Chapter 157



Only Noblemtl

#157. Dipping your feet in the angry waves (2)

“So you want to cut it short and buy ships from us?”

“Yes. This is His Majesty the Emperor’s credentials, and this is a promissory note for payment.”

General Kadual, the Emperor’s personal military adviser, was happy to arrange connections with the French embassy for the purchase of ships.

The ship contract, which was sounded out through the French Embassy and the Governor-General of Indochina to France itself, progressed quickly and secretly.

“Very good. The most certain guarantee is whether or not the payment will be made, but in my personal opinion, I think the Korean Empire has sufficient ability to pay.”

“We have several methods of payment to offer, sir. We can accept gold bullion, French francs, or even a promissory note bearing His Majesty the Emperor’s seal.”

“This needs to be coordinated by our Ministry of Finance, so let’s put that aside and look at the materials sent by the Navy first.”

I was with Lieutenant Colonel Foch at the French Embassy, ​​looking at the candidates for the destroyers they had sent me.

Actually, I don’t know much about the navy at this time, but I did know that the French navy was in shambles because of its support of the Young School.

In the early 20th century, it became the largest torpedo boat operator country, but because of that, it was unable to build large ships such as battleships, and was pushed out by latecomer Italy in the Mediterranean. In other words, this was an opportunity for our Korean Empire.

From the perspective of having to purchase small ships like destroyers rather than large ships like battleships or cruisers, the current situation in France is a pretty good market for us.

In particular, the shipyards in Le Havre, which had been producing small ships since the late 19th century, were still going strong. At this rate, they could probably produce enough destroyers to form a flotilla before the war.

“The Arquebus-class ships that our French Navy is building will be more than enough to achieve the ship performance you desire.”

“I thought you would suggest the Durandal class, but this is a bit unexpected.”

“The class currently being produced in Le Havre is the Arquebus. The Durandal class has not been produced since 1900, and from our Navy’s perspective, we believe that it would be economically beneficial to produce more of the same class of ships.”

Well, there’s no way they’d just give away a brand new ship like the Durandal class, built between 1896 and 1901.

And from the French Navy’s point of view, it had to be done by taking away supplies from their own fleet and exporting them.

It was as if the Korean military had borrowed K2 tanks from the active-duty units and given them to Poland, which it was immediately requesting as a military force.

However, at this time, the French Navy was neither in a position nor had the power to do so. It would have been much more profitable to export the Arquebus class, of which 20 ships were currently under construction.

Since we are building 20 ships, there is no particular burden in ordering the additional 6 ships we are requesting.

The more you make, the lower the price, and since they are small ships, they can be produced quickly in any place with a dry dock, such as Le Havre, Toulon, Rochefort, Nantes, or Saint-Nazaire, so the burden is less.

Looking at the data, there wasn’t much difference in terms of armament or anything like that. One 65mm gun, six 47mm Hotchkiss rapid-fire guns, and two torpedo launchers were the same. The crew was also the same at around 60 people.

However, the speed of the Aquebus class was slightly better.

“Hmm···.”

“This time, your side wants to purchase six destroyers and eight torpedo boats. The purchase of the destroyers will be the first priority, so our Navy will be in charge of training naval personnel for them.”

First, we contracted for six destroyers, and later we decided to introduce eight torpedo boats. This was the intention of the French side, but they also said that it was because of political issues.

Since destroyers were meant to be used for port security or to intercept torpedo boats in times of emergency, they had fewer elements that would provoke Japan.

But torpedo boats were a little different. These guys were determined to attack large ships, and they came out with spears, or torpedoes, which were perfect for provoking them.

In fact, even the destroyer was carrying a torpedo, so I wondered if this was nonsense.

But since I was in a position where I couldn’t say anything, I had no choice but to change the plan a little.

Ultimately, as a result of discussions with the French side, it was tentatively concluded that the introduction of eight torpedo boats would be re-discussed after the first destroyer ship was delivered.

Well, up until this point, it wasn’t a bad process.

“I would like to make some changes to the design of the destroyer I am purchasing.”

“Hmm? How···.”

I have been troubled ever since I decided to introduce French-made ships.

The most important thing in operating this ship during the war was the supply of ammunition.

Even with torpedoes, in the case of cannons, ammunition had to be purchased separately from France or an ammunition manufacturing plant had to be established, and both of these had their drawbacks.

The 65mm naval gun ammunition, which was not of the compatible shell standard, could only be purchased by going all the way to Indochina, which was impossible in wartime. Especially against Japan, which had a strong naval force, proper sea transport was impossible. And installing an ammunition manufacturing facility was also a problem.

With the installation of the newly introduced 75mm Mle 1897 field gun ammunition factory just about to take place, it was unreasonable to spend money again just for the guns of a mere six destroyers.

In the case of the 47mm rapid-fire gun, the Russian Navy also used it, so it was easier to obtain than the 65mm gun.

I had to set foot on the sea for the first time, and since I wasn’t that knowledgeable about the Navy at the time, I ended up having to get support from the Russian military advisory group.

Commodore Puchata, Colonel Strelvitsky, and the captain of the Varyag, a protected cruiser that was recently deployed as part of the Russian Pacific Fleet, came up with a fairly simple but sound solution.

-Why don’t we just use guns of the same specifications as our navy? The 75mm guns we use are a bit larger than the French 65mm guns, but it shouldn’t put that much of a strain on the ship.

-Ah, coincidentally, in addition to the Obukhov Arsenal in St. Petersburg, the Perm Arsenal has also begun production of 75mm naval guns, so the Korean Empire will be able to circulate the quantity it wants.

-Of course, as long as the payment is made… Oh, by the way, the cannons we use were also made by the French.

It was a simple but sure solution. Unlike the French ones that had to go all the way to Indochina to get shells, this was a definite advantage because it was possible to get shells from the Russian fleets in Lushun and Vladivostok, as well as the various repair and maintenance needs that arose when using the same standard of guns.

The secondary armament, the 47mm Hotchkiss rapid-fire gun, is also in use by the Russian Navy, and the armament and maintenance costs are ultimately supported by the Pacific Fleet, which makes it a good condition for economic use. It is also possible to use that as an excuse to continue requesting training from the Russian Navy.

“Huh? You’re saying we’re going to mount a Russian 75mm gun instead?”

“I would like to do so, if it is not too much trouble.”

“Uh… Is there really a reason to go to such lengths to change the ship design?”

“It’s a very simple matter. If we want to supply 65mm naval gun ammunition, we have to go all the way to the French colonies in Indochina, and that would obviously be difficult in times of war. However, if we use Russian 75mm ammunition, we can supply it from the Russian fleets in Port Arthur and Vladivostok, so it would be much easier for our Korean Empire.”

“Hmm···.”

Anyway, we are the ones paying the bills, and we are the customers. It was also a time when customers would do anything as long as they paid money.

The French ambassador, who had been pondering for a moment, whispered to a French naval officer who happened to be docked at Jemulpo at that time.

It seemed like a story along the lines of ‘Is this possible?’, but I wasn’t sure.

And after talking for a while, they nodded. It meant that they could try.

“From the end of 1902… No, it seems that we can deliver the first ship to your country from mid-1902, a little earlier. The supply of 75mm naval guns produced at the Perm Arsenal will not be difficult, so let’s sign the contract.”

“Very well. For our country, which is now taking its first steps into the sea, we will remember the fraternal action of the French Republic.”

In fact, those guys took all the money from the ship price to the crew training, so there was no such thing as camaraderie, but it was fortunate that at least they didn’t ask for the command of the fleet.

However, it was decided to accept the opportunity to invite retired or active French naval officers to provide ‘advice’ on the operation of the flotilla for the next five years.

After all, we were the ones to set foot on the sea first, and France was a naval power that had survived in the sea of ​​imperialism – although it would maintain a shattered military power ratio for the time being because of the Young School – so it was not a bad idea to listen to them.

In any case, we were in a situation where we had to ask them for help in setting up facilities and equipment for ship repairs.

As the contract signing was finalized, the French ambassador extended his hand to me, and I was able to close the contract to purchase the ship by taking his hand.

He immediately reported to the Emperor with the receipt of the contract from the French embassy, ​​and he officially announced the start of the establishment of the navy by publishing in the Official Gazette and newspapers a notice that he would select naval officers and sailors and send them to France to study according to the imperial decree.

For a while, I was busy creating a naval base.

Until an unexpected ambush appeared, the construction of the navy seemed to be a success.

***

“The Korean Empire finally succeeded in purchasing the ship.”

“This is a welcome development. It may be a great help to our fleets in Port Arthur and Vladivostok.”

Kuropatkin slapped his knee as he read the telegram that had arrived from the Governor-General of the Far East, Alexeyev.

The construction of the Korean Empire’s naval power was certainly a good thing for them, as it could relieve Russia of its burden on the sea.

“How much power are they bringing in?”

“It is equivalent to one squadron of six destroyers. The ships and trained naval officers are expected to enter the Korean Empire in late 1902, or as early as mid-1902. It is said that one squadron of eight torpedo boats will also be introduced later.”

The Navy made a smirk. It was no wonder, as the gap in naval power in the Far East was widening with each passing moment.

If it was a large ship, it would be possible to compete in terms of numbers, but the important thing was the protected cruisers that had to fill the mid-level power, the destroyers of a lower level, and the torpedo boats.