Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 874

Amidst the chaotic scene, where some desperately tried to avoid selection and others eagerly sought it, the personnel selection for Florence was finalized.

Once the selection was complete, Hwangbo In submitted a report to Wan.

“Here is the list of those who will go to Florence. The first group will depart in ten days to establish the foundation there.”

“Hmm… Indeed, a solid foundation is crucial for success. Do you believe these individuals are suitable?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

In response to Hwangbo In’s affirmation, Wan reviewed the list again.

The first names listed were Shin Suk-ju, Seong Sam-mun, and Yu Eung-bu.

Wan carefully considered these three names before turning back to Hwangbo In.

“It seems the Prime Minister put a great deal of thought into this. You’ve worked diligently.”

“You flatter me, Your Majesty.”

The decision to send these three simultaneously and as the first contingent was the result of careful deliberation between Hwangbo In and the Deputy Prime Ministers.

-Sending all three at once is certainly excessive.

-However, sending one before the others could create a vulnerability if conflicts arise later.

‘What would you know, arriving so late to the discussion!’

If the argument continues in this vein, it will devolve into a pointless squabble rather than a productive exchange of ideas.

-The conclusion is that sending all three simultaneously is the correct approach, even if it seems like overkill.

Thus, the three were slated to travel to Florence together.

Fortunately, a suitable justification was readily available.

-Shin Suk-ju is fluent in Latin and the Tuscan dialect, making him ideal for dealing with the Medici family.

-Seong Sam-mun’s extensive experience in the Ministry of Education makes him knowledgeable in educational administration. Therefore, he can greatly assist in the educational projects currently being implemented in Florence.

-Yu Eung-bu is a seasoned soldier with extensive experience in both combat and training. He can significantly contribute to the restructuring of the Florentine army.

With such fitting justifications, Hwangbo In and the Deputy Prime Ministers concluded that sending the three simultaneously was the most prudent course of action.

“Hmm…”

Satisfied with the selection of both the advance and subsequent teams, Wan moved on to the next matter.

“The embassy and the imperial residence will be in San Donnino and Livorno, as planned?”

“That is correct, Your Majesty. We have already reached agreements with Giovanni de’ Medici. The railroad construction personnel will move in conjunction with the main force.”

“Hmm…”

Wan nodded at Hwangbo In’s words.

* * *

When the Imperial Embassy was established in Florence, it wasn’t just imperial officials who would reside there.

The instructor corps responsible for training the Florentine army, as well as the families of the officials and instructors, would also relocate there.

In addition, merchants who would supply goods to these people would also move, making it clear that a considerable amount of space would be required.

Securing such a large space within the city of Florence was proving to be a difficult task.

When merchants who frequently visited Florence were consulted, their answers were largely consistent.

“How wide and well-paved are the roads, you ask? The main roads are wide enough, but the alleys become incredibly narrow.”

“Even the main roads are problematic. They are so winding and tangled that getting lost could mean sleeping outdoors for three or four days.”

“Isn’t that a bit of an exaggeration?”

“There are those who have experienced it firsthand. Fortunately, they had money, so they didn’t starve. But without money, they would have perished.”

“Couldn’t you just ask the residents for directions?”

“Do you know how cunning the Italians are? If you ask for directions, they will deliberately lead you deeper into the maze. And once you’re that deep, thieves will attack and rob you clean. It’s fortunate they don’t kill you simply because you’re an imperial citizen.”

“Is the security really that bad?”

“It goes without saying.”

When the report summarizing the merchants’ accounts reached the higher-ups, the ministers’ expressions were grim.

“This is…”

“The security is this poor…”

“Shouldn’t we send personnel from the police bureau before sending military instructors?”

“That might be a higher priority…”

As conversations, mixing jokes and serious remarks, filled the room, Wan, who was reviewing the report, looked at Hwangbo In.

“Isn’t this a good opportunity?”

“Yes, Your Majesty?”

“Using Florence’s unstable security as a pretext to establish an imperial residence in a suitable location. I think Livorno would be an excellent choice…”

Upon hearing Livorno mentioned, Hwangbo In hurriedly tried to summon a manager to bring a map and gazetteer [a geographical dictionary]. Wan raised his hand to stop him.

“There’s no need for a map or gazetteer. I know that Florence and Livorno are about 200 li [approximately 62 miles] apart.”

“That is quite a distance, Your Majesty.”

“Instead, we will lay a railroad.”

“A railroad, you say?”

“That’s right.”

Wan’s plan was as follows:

-The city of Florence is already densely packed with buildings, and the roads are inconvenient.

-Therefore, demanding a large amount of space in such a place would provoke resentment from the Florentine residents. This must be avoided.

-Therefore, only the embassy will be located within the city of Florence. Soldiers, officials’ families, and merchants will reside in a separate imperial residence.

-Livorno is a suitable location for the imperial residence.

-Livorno is Florence’s port, but not a major one. We will secure an imperial residence there and actively develop it.

-The key to development is the construction of a large port, a railroad, and a light-based communication network [a precursor to the telegraph].

-Using the light-based communication network, we can receive news from Florence faster than anyone else, and the railroad allows for rapid movement.

-Building a large port can be used when deploying the Empire’s military force.

Listening to Wan’s plan, Hwangbo In carefully pointed out the potential problem.

“It is a brilliant idea, but will Florence agree?”

“They will agree. If we create a residence for imperial citizens, we will dispatch imperial troops to protect it. If the Prime Minister were Medici of Florence, would he be comfortable with more imperial troops than expected nesting in his heart? Even if they are allies and training their troops.”

“Ah…”

At Wan’s words, Hwangbo In and the ministers all nodded in understanding.

Later, in the ensuing negotiations, Giovanni accepted the Empire’s request.

As Wan had predicted, they would have been reluctant if the residence were to be built in the city of Florence, but it was Livorno.

In addition, the proposal that the Empire would build the railroad at its own expense and allow Florentines to use it, and the proposal to develop the port of Livorno, were welcome news for Florence.

The development of the port of Livorno was essential, but it was a costly undertaking. There was no reason to oppose the Empire developing it at its own expense and building a railroad on top of that.

Meanwhile, Hyang, who learned of the situation through a letter Wan sent, had an ambiguous expression.

“The Gyeongin Railway [Korea’s first railway] and the Yongsan Garrison [a major military base in Seoul]… Is the Empire becoming an Empire of Hwang?”

Hyang was reminded of the painful history before her intervention.

“A clash between head and heart…”

Logically, it was a sound strategy for the Empire’s national interests, but something felt off in her heart.

“Hoo~. The Empire of Hwang ended with land grabbing, but the Empire will only take appropriate profits and withdraw. So this is a good thing for both Florence and the Empire. After all, even in modern times, this level is the rule of capitalism… This level is decent.”

* * *

Meanwhile, Wan, who was sitting alone in his bedchamber reviewing the plans, stopped what he was doing and looked at the calendar. After counting on his fingers for a moment, Wan sighed.

“Hoo~. I was planning to serve only 20 years and then move on to Shinji…”

This year marked Wan’s 18th year on the throne.

If there were no major events like wars, he would be happily researching gliders in Shinji in two years.

If Florence hadn’t caused trouble.

“Damn Florence…”

He wanted to paraphrase Jesus’s words and say, ‘Let Florence’s affairs be for Florence,’ but the Empire’s national interests, which were expected to be enormous, were at stake.

Considering the time it takes for information and people to travel between Florence and Seoul, it was certain that it would take at least 3 to 5 years to reach a somewhat stable equilibrium.

In addition, the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Ministers were already visibly failing. It would take at least a year for the newly elected Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Ministers to grasp the work to some extent.

Adding all of this together, the expected 20 years was definitely impossible, and it would take another 5 years before abdication was possible.

“Hoo~.”

Wan sighed deeply and clicked his tongue with a frustrated expression.

“Hyun, stuck in Area 51, and that person in Shinji must be thrilled. Tsk!”

As Wan thought about Hyang gleefully in Shinji, one memory suddenly came to mind.

“Come to think of it… you said you found a very useful tree sap… If it works out well, it would greatly reduce the burden caused by the Shinji problem… What was the name again? Chicol? Chicle [a natural gum used as the base for chewing gum]?”

Hyang had finally obtained the rubber tree.

* * *

The Empire’s advance team, which arrived in Florence via the Suez Canal, received a warm welcome from the Medici family.

“Welcome!”

“Welcome!”

“Thank you for the warm welcome,” Shin Suk-ju, representing the group, politely responded to Giovanni and Lorenzo’s enthusiastic greetings, then looked around and asked Giovanni.

“I must pay my respects to the elder, but where is he?”

At Shin Suk-ju’s question, Giovanni replied with a troubled face.

“He has been very ill lately and has difficulty moving around.”

“Oh dear! Then we should take the initiative to visit him. Please guide us.”

“Let’s do that.”

Guided by Giovanni, Shin Suk-ju’s party entered Cosimo’s bedroom.

Shin Suk-ju’s party stood before Cosimo, who was lying in bed, and bowed politely. Cosimo, who laboriously raised his hand in reply, opened his mouth with difficulty.

“Such distinguished guests have come. Please understand that I am greeting you in bed like this.”

Shin Suk-ju stepped forward and replied to Cosimo’s words.

“No, it is only natural that we should come to see you.”

“I am grateful that you think so. I wish I could sit down with you from the Empire and discuss the state of affairs, but I cannot, and I cannot hide my disappointment.”

“You will be able to do so soon.”

“I am grateful that you say so. Giovanni and Lorenzo are not incompetent, so they will be able to discuss the state of affairs without lacking. Please think of me as being there.”

“I will.”

“Then I leave it to you. I’m sorry, but I need to rest.”

“Please take care of yourself.”

As Shin Suk-ju’s party left, Cosimo sighed deeply.

“Hoo~. I can only pray that Lorenzo is exploited as little as possible.”

After reviewing the report submitted by Giovanni, who had returned from Seoul, Cosimo immediately identified the traps hidden within.

“Livorno, railroad, imperial residence… Hoo~. Is the Empire trying to swallow Florence whole?”

Cosimo, having recognized the traps laid by the Empire, wondered if the Empire was attempting to conquer Florence.

However, Cosimo soon shook his head.

“No, it’s impossible considering what the Empire is doing now. The Empire is struggling to digest what they have already swallowed. What the Empire wants is always time. Time to digest what they have swallowed. If I were the Emperor of the Empire, I would use Florence to prevent Europe from thinking otherwise. Hoo~.”

Cosimo’s eyes, filled with regret and disappointment, reflected his deep sigh.

“If I still had the energy, I could have made Florence reap the greatest benefits…”