Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 616

616. The Beginning of the Empire – A Day Like Yesterday (4)

After watching the demonstration, Enrique and his group returned to their lodgings and gathered again in the large room.

“Hmm…”

Enrique and his companions wore troubled expressions as they stared at the three Eul-sik rifles [a type of Joseon rifle] and six first-generation bullets, along with three second-generation bullets, placed on the table.

“Hmm… This is quite…”

Enrique, unsure of where to begin, simply stammered, while Giovanni continued to examine the workings of the Eul-sik rifle and fiddled with the first-generation gunpowder.

Mehmet II, with his arms crossed, stared intently at the Eul-sik rifle without saying a word.

Meanwhile, Giovanni examined the first-generation cartridge more closely. The body was made of oiled paper, and the base was made of copper. The muzzle was tightly bound with thread.

Giovanni lightly poured tea over the paper cartridge. Watching the tea flow over the surface without soaking in, Giovanni nodded.

“We can ignore a moderate rain and still fight…”

It was well known that gunpowder weapons were useless on rainy days. However, if it was this resistant to moisture, they had quite a few more options.

Nodding, Giovanni held the first-generation bullet in his hand and twisted it.

Rip!

“What kind of paper is this…”

Surprised by the unexpectedly tough paper, Giovanni unconsciously cursed. He was unaware that Joseon paper [traditional Korean paper, known as Hanji] had been famous for its durability since ancient times.

In any case, Giovanni tore open the paper cartridge and examined the contents.

“The gunpowder is similar, but something else is…”

Examining the contents, Giovanni fixed his gaze on the bullet and the copper base plate.

“The bullet is what it is, but I’m curious about this copper plate…”

Examining the copper base plate, Giovanni confirmed the presence of a primer in the center. Turning the copper plate over, Giovanni took out a dagger and fixed the tip of the blade on the round part in the center of the copper base plate.

“What are you doing…”

Before Enrique could finish speaking, Giovanni struck the pommel of the dagger with the scabbard.

Bang!

Instantly, a loud explosion erupted from the copper plate, and everyone nearby jumped up in surprise.

“As expected…”

Holding the still faintly smoking copper plate to his nose and sniffing, Giovanni nodded with an expression that said he knew it.

“What on earth did you do? Explain yourself!”

Giovanni immediately responded to Enrique’s words.

“This is why Joseon was so confident. This bullet, no, the substance inside this copper plate is the key. This substance is what allows that Joseon rifle to fire rapidly.”

Mehmet II asked a question at Giovanni’s explanation.

“It seems to explode like gunpowder, but why do you call it a ‘substance’?”

“It doesn’t smell like the gunpowder we know. No, it has a slightly similar feel, but it’s very different.”

At Giovanni’s words, Enrique gestured to a nearby adjutant. Seeing Enrique’s gesture, the adjutant approached Giovanni and politely extended his hand.

After checking the smell of the copper plate he received from Giovanni, the adjutant immediately replied to Enrique.

“It’s definitely true.”

At the adjutant’s reply, Enrique immediately asked Giovanni.

“Can we make it?”

“It’s impossible right away unless we know the manufacturing method.”

Enrique’s face became troubled at Giovanni’s answer.

“Do we have to meet those stubborn fools again?”

“Stubborn fools?”

“The monks.”

Mehmet II shook his head at Enrique’s words.

“You won’t be able to get what you want even if you meet them.”

“Why?”

“If we could get it through them, do you think the Joseon people would have given it to us as a gift like this? What kind of people are the Joseon guys? Have you still not learned after experiencing it so much?”

Enrique and Giovanni’s faces crumpled at Mehmet II’s criticism. Suddenly, Kim Jeom’s face came to mind.

“This is… a dilemma.”

In the end, Enrique and Giovanni had to admit that they were in checkmate.

* * *

The superior rifles from Florence were spreading without notice, being made and sold not only in Genoa but also in the cities of the Northern Hanseatic League [a medieval commercial and defensive confederation of merchant guilds].

And this was being transmitted to the Mamluks through the Holy Roman Empire and Spain.

They continued to hold the advantage by using the combination of riflemen and pikemen, but the bleeding [losses] was gradually increasing.

In this situation, the combination of Joseon’s rifles and Hwachas [Korean rocket artillery] was a combination that promised victory.

In particular, there were none here who would object to the fact that it was the best combination for dealing with the Mamluk and Spanish cavalry in the open deserts and plains.

* * *

In the end, they knew that they had to purchase Joseon’s Eul-sik rifles, but the problem was Mehmet II, who was on the same boat as them.

In particular, Mehmet II’s words, ‘a deal that would surprise Joseon,’ kept bothering them.

Considering the division of interests in Suez, they had to purchase almost the same amount as Mehmet II.

‘The problem is money.’

‘Funding is the problem. I don’t know if the regent will agree.’

As Enrique and Giovanni worried about the funding problem, they remembered one fact they had forgotten.

‘Wait a minute? That guy isn’t the Sultan yet, is he? But how can he be so confident?’

‘Ottoman is powerful, but it’s not rich enough for a mere heir to the throne to say such things, is it?’

In the end, Enrique and Giovanni began to lean towards the idea that Mehmet II’s words were just bluster.

“Hey, Governor. You said ‘a deal that would surprise Joseon,’ how much are you expecting?”

“It’s a secret.”

Enrique threw a fastball [a direct question] at Mehmet II’s simple and clear answer.

“How will you handle the payment issue?”

“It’s a secret. However, keep in mind that these are not just words thrown out carelessly.”

“Huh…”

* * *

Two days later, the three visited the Ministry of Foreign Affairs again.

‘As expected, that old man is here too.’

‘My blood pressure rises just by looking at that old man’s face.’

Enrique and Giovanni had to suppress their resentment as they looked at Kim Jeom, who greeted them sitting in the seat of honor with a leisurely expression.

“Welcome. Let’s have a cup of tea first. The black beans in this batch of Black Bean Tea are really good.”

Taking the initiative by offering Black Bean Tea, Kim Jeom leisurely emptied his cup and opened his mouth.

“So, have you made your decisions?”

Mehmet II was the first to speak at Kim Jeom’s words.

“I will buy 50,000 Joseon rifles and all of the first-generation ammunition that you can provide. And I will buy 100 Hwachas and 1 million rounds of second-generation ammunition, 100 scatter cannons and 10,000 cannonballs.”

“Gasp!”

“Huh!”

Enrique and Giovanni were horrified by Mehmet II’s order. Regardless, Mehmet II continued to speak.

“Ah! If you offer additional rifles, I will buy them as well.”

“Heh…”

Even the great Kim Jeom looked slightly surprised at Mehmet II’s proposal.

“Hmm…”

Putting down his teacup and thinking for a moment, Kim Jeom asked Mehmet II.

“The purchase price will be enormous for that massive quantity, how will you pay for it?”

“I will pay it over 10 years after I become Sultan.”

“Huh!”

Enrique and Giovanni wore dumbfounded expressions at Mehmet II’s answer.

Like the two, Kim Jeom also asked with a slightly dumbfounded expression.

“Are you suggesting that we do such a large transaction, a transaction between countries, on credit? Without any guarantee?”

At the same time as he spoke, Kim Jeom looked at Enrique and Giovanni. Seeing Kim Jeom’s expression, Enrique and Giovanni stepped forward to stop Mehmet II.

“Governor! This is not a place to show off!”

“Let’s think a little more calmly!”

However, Mehmet II continued to speak without listening to the two’s persuasion.

“Of course, I am not suggesting unconditional credit transactions either. I will put up collateral.”

“Collateral?”

“I will put up Ottoman’s stake in the Suez region as collateral.”

Enrique and Giovanni’s faces hardened at Mehmet II’s words.

‘This guy! He’s gambling!’

‘It’s a gamble that aims not only at Suez but the entire Ottoman Empire!’

“Hmm…”

Kim Jeom sank into thought with a serious face at Mehmet II’s proposal. At that time, Heo Hu, who was sitting next to him, stepped in to argue with Mehmet II on Kim Jeom’s behalf.

“As far as we know, we have heard that the one who wins the competition among the successors becomes the next ruler of your country when your monarch dies. If you lose that competition, wouldn’t all the promises between you and our country be in vain?”

Mehmet II smiled and replied to Heo Hu’s criticism.

“If you are afraid of that, wouldn’t it be better to sell me even more?”

Kim Jeom, who had been silent at Mehmet II’s answer, came to a conclusion.

“That’s a very interesting proposal. However, I think this requires His Majesty’s approval. Therefore, I cannot make a decision right here, and I will notify you later.”

“I hope the Emperor makes a wise decision.”

After the consultation ended and Enrique’s group left, Kim Jeom burst into laughter.

“Hoo! I’ve been hit hard for the first time in a while! Still, if we do this well, we can make it flow in the direction His Majesty wants.”

Heo Hu also nodded at Kim Jeom’s words.

Hyang had proposed to Sejong and his ministers after hearing the story of ‘Let’s dig a canal in Suez.’

“How about getting involved in the game they’ve started?”

* * *

Two days later, Enrique’s group was invited by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and sat face to face with Kim Jeom again.

“Has His Majesty made a decision?”

Kim Jeom nodded at Mehmet II’s question.

“Yes. So, I’m going to make a proposal to you.”

“Proposal?”

Enrique and Giovanni’s ears perked up at the word ‘proposal’. With the eyes of the three focused, Kim Jeom conveyed the proposal made by Hyang.

“His Majesty told me to convey this proposal.”

– Portugal, Florence, Ottoman, and the Korean Federal Empire jointly establish a company.

– The company jointly established by the four countries shall exercise full authority over the construction of the Suez Canal, as well as the management of the canal and ancillary facilities, and the collection of tolls.

– Because it independently exercises full authority in the joint venture, the four countries do not exert influence on the company other than the distribution of profits according to their shares.

– If you agree to the above proposal, the Empire will supply the weapons needed by Portugal, Florence, and Ottoman in the required quantities.

– In addition, the Empire will supply the materials and construction equipment needed for the canal construction to be carried out in the Suez region in the future.

– Payment for the weapons will be made after the Suez region is completely secured and three years later, but the Empire will calculate it at half price and receive it in kind, such as gold and silver, or in shares of the joint venture.

“How is it?”

The faces of the three people who heard Hyang’s proposal through Kim Jeom were full of greed.

‘Can we buy as many weapons with overwhelming performance as we want? At half price?’

‘The payment is not made immediately, but three years after completely seizing Suez!’

However, Giovanni desperately maintained his reason and asked Kim Jeom.

“It’s a good proposal, but how much stake does Joseon want in the joint venture?”

“40%.”

“What!”