Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 911

911. Alliance (5)

The three ambassadors remained calm because they had anticipated this situation to some extent.

-The land forces, including the Swiss mercenaries, number over 100,000, making it the largest force on the Italian front.

-Engaging such a force in a solo battle would be foolish.

-Naturally, they will attempt to form an alliance.

-We’ll consider the next steps when the time comes.

Seong Sam-mun nodded at Shin Suk-ju’s words, then continued with a slightly puzzled expression.

“I thought France would reach out to Portugal first… this is quite unexpected.”

If the Parisian envoy was truthful, France was sending envoys to Spain but had no immediate plans for Portugal.

Of course, considering the travel time, envoys might already be en route to Portugal. However, given Portugal’s strategic importance, prioritizing ‘Spain before Portugal’ seemed odd.

Yu Eung-bu responded to Seong Sam-mun’s observation.

“Perhaps France views Suez and Italy as separate issues.”

“Suez and Italy are separate? Hmm…”

“Maybe…”

Shin Suk-ju and Seong Sam-mun considered Yu Eung-bu’s opinion and soon nodded in agreement.

* * *

It wasn’t that France was unaware of the Empire; in fact, they were well-informed. Therefore, they would have naturally concluded that interfering in Suez would provoke a strong response from the Empire.

This was evident in the Parisian envoy’s statement.

The compensation France offered to Spain and Habsburg was limited to the division of Italy.

In other words, France’s sole objectives were to protect its interests in Italy and prevent the Empire’s intervention.

-They can’t abandon Italy, but they don’t want to completely sever ties with the Empire.

-Therefore, Italy and Suez are separate.

The three men concluded that this was the reason France had sidelined Portugal.

* * *

“Heo…”

Seong Sam-mun, realizing France’s intentions, shook his head.

“There’s a saying that ‘everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth,’ but… where does their confidence come from that Spain and Habsburg will accept their separation of issues… ?”

Yu Eung-bu responded to Seong Sam-mun’s criticism with a cynical tone.

“Aren’t they a great power?”

“Great power, my foot… Hmm… If France is going to act like this…”

As if struck by an idea, Seong Sam-mun stopped mid-sentence and fell into thought. Nodding to himself, he looked at Yu Eung-bu.

“How many Eulshik muskets [early gunpowder firearms] and Eulshik hwachas [rocket arrow launchers] do we have left in the armory?”

“We have plenty. Why?”

“If they’re pursuing a horizontal alliance, shouldn’t we pursue a vertical one? Since Minister Shin Suk-ju (Huihyeon’s pen name) is going to Portugal, I should go to Hungary. Wouldn’t the Hungarians appreciate Eulshik muskets and Eulshik hwachas?”

“That’s a good idea.”

“It is a good idea.”

“Then let’s draft a report as soon as possible and send it to Seoul, and then make our move. Contact Livorno and request ships as well.”

“Let’s do that.”

Thus began a fierce diplomatic battle in Italy, marking the prelude to war.

* * *

While a fierce diplomatic battle unfolded around Florence and Paris, the Imperial Navy base in Livorno bustled with activity.

This was because the main force of the Imperial Army, arriving in Italy via Suez, coincided with the arrival of the second transport fleet from Shinji.

“There was clearly enough time! Why now!”

“Instead of questioning the reason, process even one more ship!”

“This is just the beginning! Cargo and people are still arriving at Henrique Port!”

“The same goes for Shinji!”

From the port commander down, the Imperial Navy personnel managing the port worked tirelessly.

They organized the docking order of the arriving ships and used cranes and winches to unload the cargo.

On the other side, carts pulled by oxen and tractors lined up like worker ants to transport the unloaded cargo to warehouses.

In step with Livorno’s busy movements, Florence was also bustling.

“Check the railway connections properly!”

“Yes! Yes, sir!”

Yu Eung-bu anxiously checked the situation at the Imperial Army garrison built on the outskirts of Florence.

The most important facility under construction at the garrison was the railway, now in its final stages.

Once the railway connected directly from Florence Station to the Imperial Army garrison, transporting the Imperial Army’s new main weapons would be easy.

Yu Eung-bu, having mobilized the spare railcars at Florence Station to confirm the newly laid railway was properly installed, let out a long sigh.

“Hoo~. To actually think of using those bizarre contraptions, damn trench warfare…”

Around the same time, at the Imperial Army Arsenal in Livorno.

Artisans belonging to the army, and those dispatched from Areas 51 and 52 [secret research and development facilities], diligently assembled the parts unloaded from the ships.

Bweeek! Bwaaek!

“No problems! It rolls well!”

“Then load it up!”

The equipment, having completed assembly and final inspection, was loaded one by one onto open freight cars on one side of the arsenal.

“Cover it with packaging!”

“Tie the ropes tightly!”

“Wrap it up tightly!”

As the equipment was loaded onto the freight cars, soldiers swarmed around to cover it with packaging and tied it securely with thick, sturdy ropes.

As night fell, a railcar entered the arsenal. Guards boarded the freight cars pulled by the railcar, which lined up outside the arsenal, and then the railcar set off for Florence, departing from Livorno.

Their final destination was the Imperial Army garrison on the outskirts of Florence.

Watching the freight cars disappear into the distance, the artisans muttered with complex expressions.

“I thought it was just the Supreme Emperor’s hobby…”

“Isn’t it even more surprising that the Emperor and Empress allocated a budget to mass-produce that thing?”

“Well, bloodline…”

“Shhh!”

“Either way, only the Ministry of Finance officials are miserable, I guess…”

“Break time is over! There’s still a lot to assemble! Move quickly if you want to get some sleep!”

“Yes, sir!”

“Chant the slogan! One defective unit results in a pay cut, one good unit results in a pay raise!”

“Raise!”

“Who are you! The artisans raised by the unfathomable Supreme Emperor and Jang Yeong-sil [renowned Joseon-era inventor]!”

“Woo-hoo!”

The artisans, chanting the slogan energetically, diligently moved their tools.

The artisans were doing their best not only because of the bonus. They were curious to see what kind of performance the latest Imperial Army weapon they were assembling would show on the battlefield. And it was because of a strange sense of competition that had arisen among the artisans.

-In order for those devices to make a name for themselves, we have to do a proper job!

-With the honor of Area 51 on the line! Show the skills of the original!

-Show what Area 52 is all about! Prove who is the direct descendant of Jang Yeong-sil!

* * *

While a fierce competition was taking place among the artisans in Livorno, a commotion was also unfolding in Seoul.

The beginning was a small rumor that leaked from Sugang Palace [royal palace used as a residence].

-The Supreme Emperor has ordered new military uniforms to be made for himself!

“Military uniform? Why?”

Han Myeong-hoe, having heard the rumor, tilted his head. However, he soon turned pale and jumped up from his seat.

“No way! It can’t be! It mustn’t be!”

Shouting words that sounded like a scream, Han Myeong-hoe forgot his dignity and sprinted towards Geunjeongjeon Hall [main hall of Gyeongbok Palace].

“Hee-hee! To His Majesty… Huff! Tell him the Prime Minister has arrived… Heuk!”

As Han Myeong-hoe spoke, gasping for breath, the eunuch immediately replied.

“His Majesty has gone to Sugang Palace!”

“Damn it!”

Uttering a curse without realizing it, Han Myeong-hoe had to sprint back to Sugang Palace.

“Hueup! Heok! Keok!”

“Oh my, Prime Minister!”

Perhaps because he had sprinted from the Prime Minister’s residence on Yukjo Street [street with government buildings] to Geunjeongjeon Hall, and then to Sugang Palace, Han Myeong-hoe was on the verge of losing his breath when he arrived at Hyang’s residence. Surprised by the sight, a eunuch rushed to support him, and Han Myeong-hoe barely regained his breath before getting to the point.

“To His Majesty, I…”

Before Han Myeong-hoe could finish speaking, Hyeon’s shouting voice echoed loudly from inside.

“No! You can’t go to Italy! Do you know what could happen there!”

Hyeon’s shouting voice made Han Myeong-hoe’s expression despondent.

“My hunch was right… Hueup~. Hoo~.”

As the thing he had expected happened, Han Myeong-hoe became calm rather than despondent. Calmly taking a breath, Han Myeong-hoe said to the eunuch next to him.

“Announce me.”

“Yes, sir. Your Majesty! The Prime Minister has arrived!”

“Let him in!”

As Hyeon’s permission was granted, Han Myeong-hoe stepped inside. As Han Myeong-hoe politely bowed to Hyang and Hyeon, Hyang greeted him with a smile.

“Welcome. Sit there.”

Han Myeong-hoe, having sat in the seat offered by Hyang, immediately got to the point.

“I came in haste because of a strange rumor circulating in the palace these days, but I heard it from outside. Are you really going to Italy?”

“That’s right.”

“It will be a battlefield.”

“That’s why I’m going.”

At Hyang’s words, Hyeon raised his voice again.

“You say that’s why you’re going, but what’s the reason!”

“It’s because of the equipment and supply issues that are being newly deployed this time.”

“Yes?”

Hyang explained the reason why he had to go to Italy.

-The Imperial Army being deployed to Italy this time has more than one or two new weapons.

-Small arms are not a big problem, but large weapons are a problem.

-They have been tested to some extent, but no one knows what problems will arise in actual combat. In order to solve them quickly, there must be someone who knows the structure well. And I know that structure best.

-And the supply issue is also helpful. Long-distance supply must be carried out, regardless of Shinji and the mainland. If something goes wrong, the supply can become a problem and even a winnable war can be lost. Therefore, I must be there. Surely there won’t be anyone who would mess up the supply with the Supreme Emperor there?

“…Lastly, we can’t just have ambassadors at the ceremony to receive the surrender of the European powers, can we? There should be someone of the Supreme Emperor’s stature, shouldn’t there?”

At Hyang’s words, Hyeon wore an absurd expression.

‘You don’t even assume that the Empire will lose! Well… I don’t assume we’ll lose either.’

Hyeon, who was making a kind of agreement, looked at the military uniform hanging behind Hyang.

Hyeon muttered inwardly, looking at the completely black military uniform from beginning to end.

‘You’re openly telling them to kneel.’

Even though he understood, things that shouldn’t happen shouldn’t happen. Knowing Hyeon’s feelings, Han Myeong-hoe dissuaded Hyang.

“The battlefield is a dangerous place. It is a place full of corpses and all sorts of heinous things.”

“I hope you don’t forget that I also have experience fighting the enemy right in front of me, risking my life.”

“Ah…”

At Hyang’s point, Han Myeong-hoe was speechless. Hyang was the one who fought at the forefront during the Beomgwol incident that occurred in the year of Giyu [year in the sexagenary cycle].