Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 897

897. Overture (12)

Of course, most of those seated at the very top had experienced the wars that Hyang had gone through, starting from the old Liaodong War.

However, at the time the war in question took place, they were in charge of practical affairs at the front lines.

They did not have the experience of running a country while creating a big picture from the top, like Hyang.

Therefore, they were very startled by Hyang’s criticism.

* * *

Hyang pointed out the problems he had thought of.

-He said that the European powers’ people and nobles lacked a sense of belonging. However, nobles who had to protect their honor were likely to conscript large numbers of territorial people.

Ignoring this would be a big mistake.

-Although the great powers check each other, they should be considered capable of uniting at any time if it is to secure or protect an external enemy or common interests.

-Here, the external enemy would be our empire. Also, a common interest would be our empire’s stake in Suez [the Suez Canal, a vital trade route controlled by the Empire].

-Also, religion can be a major cause of inducing a long-term war.

Consider the ancestral rites issue that the Vatican has not yet answered.

If they brand our empire as pagan, they will have a justification for alliance, which will likely lead to a long-term war.

“…And, how long do you think the European powers will only check each other? If even one of the monarchs of the European powers changes their perspective, the great powers can join hands at any time.”

“You said change their perspective, are you talking about active alliance rather than active checks?”

Hyang nodded at Hyun’s question.

“That’s right.”

At Hyang’s answer, the Vice Minister of Education, who was attending, raised an objection.

“They have been so eager to tear each other apart until now. They have been checking each other by tripping over each other at every opportunity, but is it possible for them to form an alliance? No, is there any way to make it possible?”

Han Myung-hoi, who had been silent at the Vice Minister’s point, immediately answered.

“Marriage.”

“Ah!”

All the attendees showed the same reaction to Han Myung-hoi’s short and concise answer. The Minister of Education glanced at the Vice Minister in question sitting next to him and added.

“If it’s marriage, the possibility is certainly high. Looking at our history, the Naje Alliance [an alliance between Silla and Baekje in ancient Korea] was already established through marriage in the old Three Han era.”

Hyang nodded at the Minister of Education’s words and took over the words.

“That’s right. Forming an alliance through marriage.”

‘There’s the Habsburgs! That famous Habsburg jaw!’

Even in the history before Hyang intervened, the Habsburgs maintained their status as a great power by using marriage.

-Bella gerant alli, tu felix Austria nube. (Let others wage war. Happy Austria, marry.)

This Latin verse symbolized the marriage alliance taken by the Habsburg family of the Holy Roman Empire.

Hyun opened his mouth, pondering Hyang’s words.

“Certainly, the possibility seems high. Hmm… Then… I think Spain and Habsburg are most likely to form a marriage alliance. France has recovered a lot of national power that was consumed in the war with England. Nevertheless, it is already enough to be called the ruler (霸者) [a dominant power].”

Hyang and the ministers all nodded at Hyun’s analysis. As Hyun’s words ended, Han Myung-hoi continued.

“Originally, joining hands is what those who have a strong enemy in front of them do first. The Naje Alliance was also formed when Silla and Baekje joined hands to face the strong enemy Goguryeo. If it’s Europe, France is Goguryeo, and Spain and Habsburg are Silla and Baekje.”

The Vice Minister of Education asked again at Han Myung-hoi’s words.

“Not our empire?”

Then the Minister of Education next to him glared again and answered.

“The Empire is the Jungwon (中原, Central Plains) [the traditional heartland of China, representing the dominant power].”

“I think it’s right to see it as Jungwon. It’s the strongest, but it’s far away. So, it’s a priority to check Goguryeo right in front of you.”

“And, you can make Jungwon a friend, but isn’t it difficult to make Goguryeo a friend?”

“…I see.”

Starting with the Minister of Education, his direct superior, Han Myung-hoi and Im Soon-wook took turns explaining the reason. However, the expressions of the three people looking at the Vice Minister in question were not good.

‘No, how can we do this if you can’t even understand this much!’

‘And you’re a Vice Minister?’

The Vice Minister, who saw the expressions full of such criticism, was so intimidated that he had no choice but to answer.

* * *

In the end, the briefing turned into a debate.

-The war in Italy will be a long-term war. What are the countermeasures for this?

With this changed topic, Hyang, Hyun, and the ministers continued their heated debate.

-The war expenses that are sure to increase greatly.

How much will it increase, how much can we afford? And what are the means to raise it?

-Production of weapons that will be consumed in large quantities in the war.

Is it the only right answer to have Area 51, Area 52, and the Royal Armory exclusively in charge, as has been the practice until now? Is it right to open it to the private sector and induce competition? What about security issues?

-The problem of supplying the produced weapons.

What are the optimal supply lines and means? What to do with Suez, which is certain to be blocked? What are the diplomatic issues if the Suez route is occupied? What is the possibility of expansion?

-The problem of mobilizing troops.

The situation of conscripting men in the core age group who provide the most labor. What should be the limit to avoid putting a strain on the economy?

-What are the measures for those who died or became disabled in the war?

It is certain that the largest number of casualties since the last Liaodong War will occur. If so, we need to review the measures for the parties and their families.

“Hoo~. I just tried to listen to the story, but I feel like I’ve only increased my workload.”

All the ministers nodded at Hyun’s sigh-filled lament.

‘Why did the work increase?’

‘I’m already tired, hungry, and want to go home!’

‘Why did I take office!’

While all sorts of lamentations were coming out in their hearts, Hyun shook off his seat and stood up.

“I almost made a mistake of a thousand thoughts, one loss (千慮一失) [even the wisest can make mistakes]. It is truly grateful that the Supreme Emperor prevented this with the help of God (天佑神助) [divine assistance].”

Hyun gave credit to Hyang and bowed politely to Hyang. Seeing that, all the attendees quickly got up from their seats and bowed to Hyang.

Hyang, who received the expression of gratitude, also returned the greeting politely.

“It’s an overstatement. Isn’t everything thanks to His Majesty’s virtue? Now that we know the parts to be corrected, we will not miss the time if we do our best.”

Hyun expressed his gratitude again at Hyang’s words.

“Those are truly golden words. I will keep that in mind.”

Hyun, who expressed his sincere gratitude, looked back at the ministers.

“If you look at the situation in Europe now, there is not much time. Therefore, I want to receive the revised measures as soon as possible. Prime Minister.”

At Hyun’s call, Han Myung-hoi immediately bowed his head and answered.

“I will submit it within half a month at the latest.”

“Please.”

At the same time as the words, Hyun went out with Hyang.

As the two disappeared, the ministers and officials who straightened their backs looked at Han Myung-hoi with resentful eyes.

But Han Myung-hoi wore an expression that it was nothing.

“Why are you looking like that? Do you think half a month is too short? Then shall I answer here, ‘It will take more than a month’? Then you would only hear the sound of clicking your tongue? Why are you looking like that when you know very well that it is difficult to exceed half a month even if I don’t answer?”

“Still….”

“Then try saying that to the Supreme Emperor once.”

“….”

When Han Myung-hoi mentioned Hyang, the ministers turned their bodies with drooping shoulders.

-The one who handles more work than anyone else faster than anyone else.

This was the evaluation of Hyang.

If he complained about having a lot of work in front of Hyang, Hyang would have clicked his tongue and said this for sure.

“Tsk! Really? Is this a lot?”

Anyway, the deadline was set, and Hyang was among those who would judge it, so the officials had to suffer from overwork again.

The officials, who were taking a break while drinking black bean tea filled in a large kettle on one side like water, looked at the distant sky and muttered.

“I wonder if Florence is a little more relaxed?”

* * *

While Seoul was suffering from overwork again, Florence was also suffering from overwork.

This was because the political relations of the leading northern cities had become complicated since the last Habsburg-Hungarian War.

The beginning of the work was also the Habsburg-Hungarian War.

After the war, Habsburg spent a lot of money while proceeding with the restoration of facilities destroyed by the war and the reconstruction of the army.

And, in order to refill the money spent in this way, Friedrich III turned his eyes to Venice.

Venice was the one who chose Habsburg as a helper for the ‘Italian unification’.

Of course, Venice supported considerable military expenses for the Habsburg-Hungarian War, and also supported funds for the subsequent reconstruction project.

However, Friedrich III’s continued demands were beyond Venice’s capabilities.

After Constantinople was handed over to the Ottomans and lost control of the eastern Mediterranean, Venice was gradually declining.

The famous Venetian glass had also lost its competitiveness due to glass products from the East, including the Empire.

In this situation, Venice’s jump into the great cause of ‘Italian unification’ was a gamble to solve their difficult situation at once.

And, in order to win the gamble, they chose Habsburg as their backing, and supported a lot of money in the last war.

However, Habsburg’s continued demands were beyond Venice’s capabilities.

“At this rate, all that’s left is to go bankrupt!”

In the end, Venice switched lines from Habsburg to France.

Louis XI of France, who heard Venice’s request, gladly accepted Venice’s request.

This was because if Venice came under France, the path for Habsburg to come down to Italy would be blocked.

Of course, they could come down through Switzerland, but it was a road that could not be used because Switzerland was in the middle of an independence war.

When Venice joined hands with France, this time Milan broke up with France and joined hands with Habsburg.

The relationship between Milan and Venice was extremely bad. And, it was certain that France, which had Venice in its hands, would try to use this to dominate them.

Habsburg also gladly accepted Milan’s proposal, which was the same as receiving Milan’s proposal.

This was because if Milan left, France would also be blocked from coming down to Italy.

In addition, Milan was wealthier than Venice.

Habsburg had no reason to refuse.

As the combination of influential cities in northern Italy and the great powers that backed them changed, the power map of northern Italy began to shake.

And there was an unexpected victim.

It was Switzerland.