Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 886

886. Overture (1)

The Chicle-based products, a collaborative achievement of the Imperial Court and Hyang [likely a reference to a specific department or individual], gradually gained traction in the market, navigating various challenges.

Notably, the Japanese, who favored simple Zori or Geta [traditional Japanese sandals]—much simpler than the Empire’s clogs—embraced these Chicle shoes.

The Ming Dynasty [historical Chinese dynasty] followed suit. At the time, Ming citizens commonly wore shoes with wooden soles and fabric or cloth uppers.

Unlike rigid wooden soles, the thick Chicle soles offered superior comfort, making them popular throughout the Ming Dynasty.

Meanwhile, in Europe, Chicle insoles began to rise in popularity.

European shoes typically featured wooden or leather soles.

Furthermore, European streets were notoriously unsanitary. High-heeled shoes—with thick wooden or iron-framed heels—were worn to avoid the feces and filth scattered on the streets, leading to considerable foot fatigue.

In this context, Chicle insoles imported from the Empire became a sought-after product, appreciated by everyone from nobles to farmers.

However, this success introduced a new challenge.

* * *

Many of the Empire’s exports had readily available substitutes.

These items could be manufactured within Europe or sourced from cheaper alternatives in Ming or Japan. Only products with guaranteed performance and quality, or luxury items like chandeliers, remained exclusively Imperial, and even those faced increasing competition from European manufacturers.

However, Chicle products were solely sourced from the Empire. Moreover, they perfectly addressed consumer needs, particularly insoles, and were reasonably priced.

Consequently, consumers who tried them once became repeat customers.

This led to European countries experiencing a trade deficit with the Empire once again.

Chicle products were affordable for nearly everyone.

People purchased them readily, illustrating the saying ‘Many a little makes a mickle’ [small expenses accumulate quickly].

As a result, European monarchs and merchants redeployed their spies.

-Where does the Empire obtain this Chicle?

European scholars were the first to uncover the answer.

-The term “Chicle” is absent from the Imperial language.

-Therefore, it’s not sourced from the Empire’s core territories.

-If so, it originates from an external territory like the Empire’s Bukji, Daeseoldo, or Jongjangdo [fictional regions], but considering when these regions became part of the Empire, Chicle appeared too recently.

-Then it must be Shinji [fictional region]!

Information gathered from sailors and spies solidified this theory.

-The development of Chicle products is linked to the Empire’s first Emperor!

“Given that the first Emperor recently spent time in Shinji, Shinji is the likely source.”

European monarchs and merchants were convinced that Shinji was the origin of the sought-after product, but they were frustrated.

“We know it’s Shinji, but…”

“That Shinji is the problem.”

It was now certain that the Empire was implicated in the disappearances of expeditions attempting to discover the Eastern Sea Route. They wanted to protest, but lacked concrete evidence, and the Empire consistently invoked its right to remain silent on the matter.

Furthermore, military action was unfeasible due to the Empire’s distance and formidable military strength.

Therefore, Europeans began searching for similar substitutes in Southeast Asia and Africa.

However, this proved challenging.

The immediate obstacle was their ignorance of Chicle’s composition.

“We don’t even know if it’s a mineral or a plant or animal byproduct…”

The situation in Southeast Asia presented another challenge.

Having actively engaged in trade with the Empire, Ming, and Japan, these countries had developed sophisticated political systems and cultures, along with advanced military capabilities.

In essence, if Europeans brandished guns and cannons, so would they, and their weapons were equally effective.

Consequently, Europeans were forced to treat them as trade partners rather than targets for colonization.

The only regions where Europeans could freely exert force were the inland areas of Africa, the southern regions, and the New World discovered roughly 10 years prior.

Ultimately, most European monarchs tacitly reached a consensus.

-We must eventually engage the Empire militarily!

The flames of war slowly kindling in Italy promised to provide that opportunity.

* * *

The ‘Italian Unification Movement’ sweeping through several northern Italian cities—the most prosperous part of Italy—was the reason European powers saw Italy as an opportunity.

Initially confined to a small group of intellectuals, the movement had gained widespread support, with ordinary citizens chanting slogans.

The central issue was the leadership of unification.

-Unite Italy and restore the glory of ancient Rome!

-The Holy Roman Empire [historical European empire] is merely a collection of Gallic [ancient region of Europe] barbarians usurping the name of Rome!

-Only Italians can truly revive Rome!

-Therefore, the other cities must follow us!

This last point was contentious. Major northern Italian cities, including Milan, Genoa, Venice, and Florence, each asserted their right to lead the unification.

The actions of these Italian cities quickly reached the ears of European powers.

After reviewing the reports, the European monarchs concluded:

-They cannot achieve unification independently.

The Italian city-states reached the same conclusion. Many sought backers and formed alliances.

The backers included France, the Holy Roman Empire, Spain, and, surprisingly, the Empire.

Here, the European powers saw a chance to strike at the Empire.

-The Empire has allied with Florence.

-If war erupts, the Empire will inevitably deploy military forces.

-However, Italy and the Empire are geographically distant. The Empire cannot conduct timely military and supply operations.

-Ultimately, the Empire will be forced to concede.

-The defeated Empire will have no choice but to grant us numerous concessions.

France, Spain, and the Holy Roman Empire all coveted the Suez stake held by the Empire and Florence. Additionally, Spain aimed to seize Portugal.

-If the Empire and Florence fall, Portugal will have nowhere to turn! We can take it then!

The problem was that France, the Holy Roman Empire, and Spain had no intention of sharing the Suez stake with other European powers.

This implied another war.

Thus, the European powers gradually began preparing for war to claim Italy’s riches for themselves.

* * *

Meanwhile, the Empire was not idle.

Having established a naval port in Livorno and secured a fortified bridgehead, the Empire constructed a railway network connecting Florence, Livorno, and surrounding cities.

Many Imperial citizens and officials opposed the Empire’s initiative, namely, investing in Italian railways.

“Why should we fund railways in Italy with our own resources?”

“Since it benefits Florence, we should demand financial contributions from them!”

Despite the opposition, Wan [likely a character’s name] used his political influence to proceed.

After approximately five years, the completed railway brought numerous advantages to the Empire.

Firstly, the Empire collected railway usage fees. Although the route connecting Livorno and Florence was relatively short, it greatly benefited merchants.

The merchants using this railway came not only from the Empire and Florence.

The Imperial Navy ensured the safety of the sea route between Prince Henrique Port [fictional port] and Livorno, prompting many merchants to reroute their ships to avoid the notorious Mediterranean pirates, or to load their goods and passengers onto the Empire and Florence’s transport ships.

Imperial Navy commanders smiled wryly at these merchants’ actions.

“To think that pirates who are wary of even these small boats are feared… truly…”

* * *

The Imperial Navy ships guarding the Livorno route were built at the Prince Henrique Port shipyard, following European designs rather than Imperial ones.

The Imperial Navy referred to these ships as “small boats” because they were smaller than the Challenger-class and Haeung-class battleships [fictional ship classes]. This was because maneuverability was more crucial than long-distance navigation in the Mediterranean, and to prevent the Challenger-class or Haeung-class battleships’ secrets from being revealed to Europeans. The number of cannons installed clearly reflected the Empire’s preferences.

-20 cannons on the port and starboard sides combined.

Ironically, this battleship was the most powerful in the Mediterranean and even in Europe.

No other ships in the Mediterranean or European regions carried as many cannons. The sheer number of cannons was intimidating, and they were manufactured and shipped from the Empire.

Consequently, European naval commanders shuddered at the sight of these battleships.

“Those crazy bastards are obsessed with cannons! It wasn’t a joke!”

“Fortunately, there aren’t many of them, and their defenses are comparable to our ships, so we can be confident.”

Even as they spoke, European powers began constructing battleships similar to the Imperial Navy’s “small boats.”

“Our cannons are weaker than theirs! Then we’ll load more!”

“It’s not just about loading more cannons! We’ll build more ships!”

The financial managers suffered the most from this naval arms race.

“Not only are you building battleships similar to the Challenger-class battleships for long-distance navigation, but you’re also building battleships for the Mediterranean? And you’re building even more?”

“What do you think the budget is!”

As the naval arms race intensified and ships resembling the Empire’s Mediterranean battleships appeared, the Imperial Navy remained relaxed.

“Those ships with paper armor…”

“They’ll be terrified if they encounter the Assault Turtle Ship [fictional ship].”

* * *

As merchant ships traversed the route secured by the Imperial Navy, the port of Livorno teemed with merchants and cargo. To transport these goods to their destinations, merchants favored the railway.

“Although it only runs from here to Florence, what does it matter?”

Merchants who valued time willingly paid the fee and used the railway. Of course, spies and soldiers disguised as merchants meticulously inspected the railway.

“It would be advantageous for troop transport. However, severing the railway between Livorno and Florence in one or two places would render it useless.”

However, they were unaware that the Empire had strategically planned the railway route in Florence and surrounding cities, anticipating such sabotage. Even if sections were cut off, troops could be transported via detours. While not fully connected, the railway was designed to conceal this vulnerability until war broke out.

If war erupted, the Empire would immediately connect the disconnected sections and complete the railway network.

The Empire financed the railway network to conceal this strategy. Through the railway network and the light communication towers erected along the railway, the Empire secured and maintained its own transportation and communication infrastructure.