Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 910

910. Alliance (4)

As soon as Charles VIII gave his approval, French diplomats began to move busily between the Habsburg and Spanish courts.

Feasts were held for those tasked with these missions, attended by many nobles. For the lower- to mid-level officials who couldn’t attend due to their rank, banquets were also held in the brothels of Paris.

Subsequently, the nobles who had attended the feasts gathered in small groups, often divided by their political factions, and continued their discussions (and drinking) in the brothels.

This flurry of activity kept the Milwi agents, who had already established a network in Paris, extremely busy.

Their task was to gather information leaked by lower-level officials who loosened their tongues while drunk at the brothel banquets, and to eavesdrop on the nobles who had attended the king’s and high-ranking nobles’ feasts, trying to gauge the likelihood of a successful alliance.

The Milwi executive stationed in Paris, carrying the information gathered in this way, headed to Italy.

* * *

The Milwi executives gathered at a liquor warehouse in Livorno, sharing the information they had secured and exchanging opinions.

“The changes in the political situation in Europe are accelerating, and I’m worried. Seoul is too far away,” the executive active in Lisbon pointed out, his brow deeply furrowed. The other executives nodded, mirroring his concern.

It took, at best, four months, and usually six, to send information from Italy to Seoul and receive a reply.

Under normal circumstances, this delay would have been acceptable, but these were not normal times.

The person in the most precarious situation was undoubtedly the Lisbon representative.

“How is Lisbon faring?” the person in charge of Paris asked.

The Lisbon representative sighed heavily. “Don’t even mention it. In the royal court, every day is consumed by endless arguments, and the streets at night have become lawless. Sales are down, and information gathering is a complete mess.”

The Lisbon representative’s complaints continued at length.

“…To think I set up shop in such a place… No, all the prominent figures are gone… Phoo~.”

The other executives understood the Lisbon representative’s predicament.

As it became increasingly clear that not only the great powers of Europe but also the Empire would be drawn into the war in Italy, Portugal found itself in an increasingly difficult position.

* * *

Since Henrique’s visit to the Empire, Portugal had been enjoying a golden age.

They had reaped enormous economic benefits by collaborating with the Empire and had been able to keep Spain in check by importing weapons from them.

Furthermore, their shared interests with France through the Suez [Canal] project had placed Portugal in an enviable position.

France, a military powerhouse, was keeping Spain in check, gradually easing Portugal’s burden.

Not wanting to waste this opportunity, Portugal had been diligently strengthening its army and focusing on naval power.

As a result, Portugal’s navy had grown to become one of the leading naval forces in Europe. Building on this strength, they further developed their colonial projects in Africa.

Later, they gained an edge in the competition to find the rumored ‘New Southern Continent’ [Antarctica], a venture that brought them considerable excitement.

However, these favorable circumstances were now threatened by the situation in Italy.

Portugal stood at a crossroads, caught between France and the Empire.

Both logic and practicality suggested that France and the Empire could not coexist peacefully.

The inescapable conclusion was that Portugal would struggle to survive independently unless it chose one side.

This realization fueled fierce debates within the royal palace in Lisbon.

“The Empire! We must side with the Empire! Even children know the power of the Empire!”

“But the Empire is far away! We must join hands with France! The Empire has to cross the sea, but France can march right over!”

“There are rumors that France and Spain may join forces! Spain, who is constantly eyeing our Portugal!”

“Are you suggesting we turn our backs on France? Do you think our army can withstand the French army?!”

“Hoo~.”

King João II sighed as he watched the nobles and ministers, divided into two factions, argue vehemently.

Both sides presented their opinions out of concern for the country, and each argument had its merits and drawbacks.

“Hoo~.”

João II sighed again and intervened in the debate.

“Stop. Everyone is too agitated. Let’s calm down for a moment.”

“I apologize.”

“I have displayed an unsightly outburst.”

At João II’s rebuke, the ministers and nobles lowered their heads and fell silent. João II, having quelled the argument, shared his thoughts.

“What if we simply declare neutrality?”

At João II’s suggestion, the ministers and nobles shook their heads in unison, regardless of their faction.

“Impossible.”

“The Empire might accept it, but France will refuse.”

“Why is that?”

At João II’s question, the nobles and ministers responded immediately.

“Because of our navy.”

“Ah….”

João II nodded, understanding instantly.

Portugal’s naval power was, again, among the strongest in Europe.

As the Empire became involved in the war over Italy, European military strategists studied ways to counter the Empire.

-The most effective way to defeat the Empire is to cut off its supply lines in the Mediterranean.

-This requires a strong naval power.

Reaching this conclusion, European military officials all turned their attention to Portugal, or rather, to the Portuguese navy.

“Because of our formidable navy, they will undoubtedly try to force us into an alliance?”

“Yes. Especially after the Imperial Fleet crossed the Atlantic and arrived in Italy this time, they will certainly try to get their hands on it.”

“Hoo~. This is a headache.”

João II sighed, resting his hand on his forehead.

“So, join hands with the Empire….”

“No, join hands with France….”

While João II pondered, the nobles and ministers resumed their fierce debate.

While they engaged in heated debates in the royal court during the day, lives were at risk at night, as they dispatched assassins to eliminate their political rivals.

* * *

As this chaos persisted, everyone from King João II to the peddlers in the marketplace began to share the same sentiment.

“If only they were still alive….”

The people they missed were the first Duke of Coimbra and Prince Henry the Navigator.

These two figures had shaped Portugal into what it was today. With quicker judgment and bolder decisions than anyone else, they had forged a path to prosperity by engaging with the Empire, and they had curbed the nobles’ excesses through the great purge of the Duke of Braganza and other nobles.

But now they were figures of the past. The 2nd Duke of Coimbra, who succeeded the first Duke as the kingdom’s chancellor, was also a capable man, but he paled in comparison to his predecessor.

As a result, they remained unable to make a decisive choice and continued to waver, adding to João II’s burden.

After the great purge, symbolized by the purge of the Duke of Braganza, Afonso V had entrusted almost all authority to the Duke of Coimbra. The first Duke of Coimbra, disappointed in Afonso V, dedicated himself to teaching João II, Afonso V’s son, the art of kingship.

He taught him about the deeds of famous emperors of the old Roman Empire, as well as anecdotes of Sejong [the Great] and Hyang [fictional emperor], so that João II could become a capable king.

Even in the history before Hyang’s intervention, he was called ‘the Perfect Prince’.

However, no matter how capable the king, if his subjects could not get their act together, the government would inevitably falter.

Just as it was now.

Tired of the daily debates, João II looked out the window and muttered.

“I envy the Ottomans….”

Bayezid II, who succeeded Mehmed II as Sultan, was observing the chaotic war over Italy and focusing on strengthening the Ottoman Empire’s internal affairs.

“Just watch them bite and tear at each other. But if they try to bite me, I’ll pick up a club without mercy.”

This was Bayezid II’s guiding principle.

* * *

The Milwi executives, seeking the best course of action in the increasingly urgent situation, soon reached an agreement.

“Do we all agree that the current situation demands ‘on-site judgment as the top priority’?”

“Agree.”

“Agree.”

“Then let’s put it in writing and affix our seals.”

The Milwi executives, having reached a unanimous agreement, put their heads together and began to formulate a plan.

A few days later, a man entered the Imperial Embassy in Florence.

“What is the matter?”

At the embassy official’s question, the man hesitated, looked around cautiously, and quietly spoke.

“I’m… Song Mo, who works at a bar in Paris. I have something urgent to tell the ambassador….”

“Something urgent to tell?”

“Yes. It’s a matter of national security.”

At the man’s words, the official quickly rose from his seat.

“Wait a moment.”

* * *

Shortly after, the man was summoned to the ambassadors.

“I greet the ambassadors.”

“You said you came from Paris? The Council appreciates your diligence. Please, have a seat.”

“Thank you.”

As the man sat down, Shin Suk-ju spoke.

“So, what is this matter of national security concerning our Empire?”

“I work at a bar in Paris. It’s a rather upscale establishment, so the customers are quite influential in Parisian society.”

“Paris… ‘Red Moon (lune rouge)’?”

As Shin Suk-ju feigned familiarity, the man nodded enthusiastically.

“Yes, that’s right!”

“I see. Continue.”

“Yes. After working there for a few years, I picked up a few words of French. Some time ago, officials working in the royal palace came in droves for a company dinner. While I was serving them drinks, I vaguely overheard words like ‘Spain, Habsburg, alliance’. Listening more closely, it seemed that France was sending envoys to those countries. I’m just a bartender, but I know a little about how the world works, so I came all the way here just in case.”

“Is that so? We are truly grateful. Do you know when they are sending them?”

“It must have been about a month ago.”

“Is that so? Thank you.”

“I will inform His Majesty the Emperor of your contribution.”

“It’s an honor!”

After dismissing the constantly bowing man, the three men exchanged serious glances.

“I expected it to some extent….”

“We must also devise countermeasures.”

“So, about that….”

Shin Suk-ju looked at the other two and shared his thoughts.

“I should go to Portugal. If I play my cards right, I can drive a wedge between them and France.”

Shin Suk-ju’s words prompted Sung Sam-mun and Yu Eung-bu to nod in agreement.

“That’s a good idea.”

“Portugal could prove to be a very troublesome wedge.”