Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 908

908. Alliance (2)

As time passed, more detailed, though uncertain, information trickled in from spies infiltrated within Florence and Livorno.

The information could be summarized as follows:

-The newly arrived Imperial Fleet in Livorno consists of approximately 20 ships.

-About half are transport ships scheduled to return soon.

-Among the larger ships stationed in Livorno, one is a dedicated transport, reportedly the fastest ship in terms of speed.

-Two steamships are believed to be ironclad vessels.

-Imperial army security is tight, preventing close approach, but it’s estimated the side gunports are similar to the Challenger-class [a type of warship].

-After sifting through rumors, the Imperial army stationed in Florence is estimated at approximately 4,000 soldiers for the army and 4,000 for the navy.

“Hmm…”

The naval commands of the great powers, having received these reports, once again put their heads together, analyzing the data.

“The transport ship’s speed makes sense given the number of sails… but the steamships are the problem.”

“Agreed. Wouldn’t it be most reasonable to assume they’re ironclads?”

“That’s the most logical conclusion. Even coming from the ‘Land of Flowers’ [a common, sometimes derogatory, term for China, alluding to its rich cultural history], iron ships would be a stretch.”

Most naval officials agreed the steamships were ironclad, not made entirely of iron.

-No matter how advanced the Empire is, iron ships are too far-fetched! Impossible!

It was a conclusion they deemed rational, based on their own standards.

However, a fierce debate erupted over the next point.

-Will these steamships truly have the same armament as Challenger-class battleships?

Naval officials were divided.

“What kind of people are these ‘Land of Flowers’ folks? Their ships are twice the size of Challenger-class battleships! Are you suggesting they’d put the same number of cannons on such a large hull? Unless they’ve all gone mad, absolutely not!”

“Think of them as steamships! Like the Iron Horse [an early term for a steam locomotive]! The Iron Horse needs constant water and coal! This is a much bigger vessel! Surely that space is for water and coal!”

“Their Iron Horse is more efficient than ours! Consider that! They’ll use the extra space for water and coal, but not all of it! I’d add more cannons – at least ten!”

“Consider the steam engine! More cannons mean more gunpowder and shells, which can’t be stored near a burning steam engine! Ship safety limits that!”

While the two factions debated, another idea emerged.

“Speaking of steam engines, didn’t they come from the West?”

“So?”

“The Atlantic isn’t small, is it? They crossed it? What about drinking water, food, coal, and water for the engine?”

“That means…”

Those debating were struck by the realization.

Despite the Empire’s obstruction, European powers had gathered considerable information about the eastern Atlantic.

West of the Azores Islands [a Portuguese archipelago], the ocean was vast.

“Hmm…”

“We need to rethink this.”

The naval officials began analyzing again from scratch.

“Of the 4,000 Imperial Navy personnel in Livorno, the fleet likely brought 2,500 to 3,000. Even at the minimum, their food and supplies…”

“Scholars estimate their voyage at two to six months. Considering this…”

Calculations began, and soon subordinates were summoned.

“Bring the calculator! Or a counting frame [an abacus-like calculating tool]!”

“Yes!”

Those receiving the tools paused, staring intently before bursting into laughter.

“Using something made in the Empire to calculate against them… ironic.”

After this thorough analysis, the naval admirals wore serious expressions.

“Maybe an empty ship. Or capable of one battle, at most.”

“An empty ship is unlikely, so one battle is most probable…”

“One battle… hmm… if we do this…”

While aggressive admirals devised strategies, cautious ones were cynical.

“You don’t think we can win that one battle, do you?”

“Possible, if we do it right?”

“You know our battleships’ firepower, right? ‘Doing it right’ isn’t praying for a miracle, is it?”

“…”

“Our navy would be wiped out in that one battle.”

The aggressive admirals retorted, “What are you suggesting? Hand the Mediterranean over to them!”

The cautious admirals replied calmly, “The key to winning against the ‘Land of Flowers’ is diplomacy.”

“Diplomacy?”

“Ah!”

The aggressive admirals, pondering, exclaimed simultaneously.

Interestingly, the navies of the great powers reached the same conclusion.

-We alone are destined to lose.

-What about joining forces?

-Alone, we lose. United, the outcome changes.

* * *

The monarchs of the great powers, receiving the naval command’s proposal, were troubled.

“Alliance… a coalition?”

“Correct.”

“This is… to think we must join hands with them…”

The great powers vying for Italy were not on good terms.

A vicious cycle of mutual conflict persisted.

France and the Habsburgs of the Holy Roman Empire were at odds over interests in Italy and Switzerland. Louis XI’s annexation of Burgundy worsened relations.

France and Spain also had frequent border disputes and disagreements over the Kingdom of Naples and Sicily.

The Habsburgs and Spain had no particular disputes but weren’t close.

Therefore, the monarchs were troubled by the navy’s proposal.

The new King of France, Charles VIII, showed the most resistance.

* * *

Although Louis XI lived longer than before Hyang’s intervention, he died shortly after Charles VIII came of age.

Louis XI’s long life allowed Charles VIII to seize power without his sister, Anne de Beaujeu, acting as regent.

Charles VIII’s subsequent marriage worsened relations with the Habsburgs.

Duchess Anne of Brittany, who married Charles VIII, was originally engaged to Maximilian I of Habsburg.

France and Charles VIII, unwilling to cede strategic points in southern France to the Habsburgs, arranged the marriage.

From Brittany’s perspective, marriage with Charles VIII was also necessary.

Perhaps due to the backlash from Hyang’s intervention, France’s national power grew quickly and strongly.

The earlier annexation of Burgundy was decisive in France’s rapid growth and impacted the entire Habsburg family.

Before Hyang’s intervention, the Habsburgs owned Burgundy.

With Spain’s support through marriage and Burgundy’s power, the Habsburgs were France’s strongest opponent.

However, Hyang’s intervention demoted the Habsburgs from France’s ‘strongest competitor’ to a ‘competitor requiring attention’.

France, quickly regaining its position as Europe’s ruler, had no choice but to arrange Charles VIII and the Duchess’s marriage.

Later, Hyang muttered, “Sometimes reality is more dramatic than drama… NTR [Netorare, a Japanese term for a specific type of infidelity].”

* * *

Charles VIII, hearing the navy’s proposal, felt strong rejection but couldn’t dismiss it.

He understood the navy’s reasoning.

Therefore, Charles VIII summoned the generals of the Ordinance Army [France’s first permanent army], the admirals of the Navy, and the ministers.

“…So, the Navy made this proposal. I want your opinions.”

The attendees whispered and exchanged opinions.

After a long discussion, the generals of the Ordinance Army spoke first.

“From the Army’s perspective, the Navy’s proposal isn’t bad. Frankly, considering the final goal, the Kingdom of Naples, it’s a very good plan.”

France’s ultimate target in Italy was the Kingdom of Naples.

If France took Milan and annexed Naples, it would secure its transportation route from Suez to France.

Securing that route would further strengthen France’s influence over Northern Europe.

Indeed, gradual annexation could revive the Frankish kingdom of Charlemagne the Great.

‘Of course, Savoy is in the middle…’

The Duchy of Savoy was on the road to Milan and Italy, but it wasn’t a major obstacle for France and Charles VIII.

“Come to think of it, the Habsburgs and Spain aren’t major obstacles either…”

By independently producing gunpowder, France could equip itself with Eul-style rifles and gun carriages.

With independent rifle, gun carriage, and ammunition production, France’s power increased dramatically, and the Habsburgs and Spain weren’t a major concern.

France’s real concerns were the Imperial army in Florence and the 100,000 Swiss mercenaries.

Specifically, the unknown number of Imperial army and navy personnel, the gradually increasing 50,000 Swiss mercenaries, and the 20,000 Florentine standing army.