Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 959

959. South and North, and the Middle (6)

“Even if we lowball it to the extreme…”

Even if lowballed to the extreme, Wan possessed the experience and ability to conceive such methods, even if Hyun might not have considered them. However, examining Wan’s letter, which arrived simultaneously with Hyun’s, it simply requested a response.

“No matter how I look at it…”

Hyang, who had been pondering over Wan and Hyun’s uncharacteristic behavior, soon realized the reason.

“Was it because of me?”

It was Hyang who created the research institute and Area 51, and even established the laws and systems to operate them. With Hyang alive and well, who would dare to tamper with the laws and systems at will? Not even the Emperor could easily do that.

The notoriously strict Board of Audit and Inspection, as well as the court officials, were highly likely to oppose it. No, it was certain. The conclusion was that the one who started it had to finish it.

“The one who shat has to clean it up, huh…”

Hyang grumbled as he wrote the answer that Hyun and Wan knowingly ignored.

“Do these guys see me as some old geezer…?”

* * *

While Hyang was grumbling about matters related to Woo, the Imperial Army headquarters stationed in Italy, especially the Navy headquarters, was being devastated by Jang Hang-sun.

“I’m going to grind those bastards into mincemeat with a tank!”

Gnash teeth, Jang Hang-sun headed to the Navy headquarters in Livorno, kicking down the door to the commander’s office as he entered.

Bang!

“Where are the governor and those staff bastards? Come out right now!”

“Oh! Vice Premier Woo, how did you get all the way here…”

Son Il-won, seeing Jang Hang-sun’s appearance, wore an expression as if what was coming had finally arrived and greeted him.

“How did I get here? I came on my own two feet! What, is there a problem?”

Son Il-won, taken aback by Jang Hang-sun’s extremely sarcastic reply, forced a smile and responded.

“Of course, there’s no problem. I was just surprised that someone who should be in Seoul would come all the way to this distant place, dragging their old bones.”

“You’re worried about my old bones, but you’re doing your job like that? Bring all the staff here right now! Immediately!”

“Yes, sir!”

Overwhelmed by Jang Hang-sun’s thick dialect, Son Il-won immediately summoned the staff. Jang Hang-sun, glaring at the staff who entered the conference room with tense expressions, exploded.

“This operation, it came from your heads, right?”

“…Yes, it did.”

“Can’t answer properly? Are there no humans here, only cat bastards gathering and meowing?”

“No, sir!”

“Then, this operation, it came from your heads, right?”

“Yes, sir!”

“You bunch of *meokjakgori* [a North Korean dialect word for ‘idiot’]!”

Jang Hang-sun’s roar began to echo throughout the conference room. Jang Hang-sun’s criticism of the staff and Son Il-won can be summarized as follows:

-He would not criticize the victory in this naval battle.

-He would not criticize the capture of cannons.

Because capturing enemy weapons or having one’s own weapons captured was commonplace on the battlefield.

-He would not make an issue of losing a frigate. Because it was impossible not to lose a single ship on the allied front in a fierce battle.

“…If there’s anyone who can do that, their name will go down in history.”

Jang Hang-sun, who had briefly digressed, continued with the main point.

-The problem and what should be criticized was the tactics.

-In general, military strategy is about making the allied forces’ strengths even stronger and thoroughly concealing their weaknesses.

-The strengths of our front are its firepower and defense, and the weakness is its small number.

-Therefore, the standard approach would have been to surround the enemy from a distance and gradually reduce them using overwhelming firepower.

-The Assault Turtle Ship, as its name suggests, has the mission of charging into the enemy lines and wreaking havoc, and it has the defense, mobility, and firepower to match.

-Considering what I just said, the tactic of following the Assault Turtle Ship and invading the enemy lines is a flawed tactic.

“…Thanks to that, we suffered more losses than necessary in this naval battle, right? Because of the tactics you bastards poorly devised, valuable sailors and captains became unreturnable guests!”

At Jang Hang-sun’s rebuke, one of the staff cautiously made an excuse.

“The staff only followed the governor’s decision and plan…”

“Shut that mouth! If that’s how it’s going to be, then why have staff? If you say that, does all the blame lie with the Supreme Emperor? Are you even trying to make excuses right now?”

“No, sir!”

The staff member who had opened his mouth at Jang Hang-sun’s criticism turned pale and hurriedly denied it.

As Jang Hang-sun said, the authority to execute all operations rested with Hyang. Because Hyang had authorized the operation, it was executed, and therefore, Hyang had to take responsibility. Jang Hang-sun continued to scold the staff.

“Why do we have staff? Isn’t the staff’s job to rack their brains to make the commander’s decision a success? If there’s a problem with what the governor has thought of, isn’t it the staff’s job to correct it, even at the risk of their lives! Why are you making such ridiculous excuses!”

At Jang Hang-sun’s scolding, the staff desperately defended themselves. As the representative of such staff, the senior staff member stepped forward.

“We are aware of what Vice Premier Woo has said. The staff also put in their best efforts to devise a plan. We devised the tactics by reflecting on the lessons learned from the previous Yellow Sea naval battle and the battles we had experienced with pirates. As you said, the weakness of our navy stationed in Italy is the small number of fronts! Since there are not enough to surround the enemy ships coming from both sides, we thought of a proactive intrusion in reverse. In the previous Yellow Sea naval battle, the Assault Turtle Ship broke through the enemy lines, and the Challenger-class fronts made the wounds even bigger. In particular, if the Assault Turtle Ship intrudes, it will be a complete rout (一敗塗地)…”

“Shut that mouth!”

Jang Hang-sun was very angry and stopped the staff’s excuses.

“You bastards! What was the first thing you heard in military academy? What did your seniors keep saying until your eardrums wore out? ‘Don’t match the enemy’s level to the Chinese level. If you’re going to match it, match it to the Japanese pirates’ level.’ Wasn’t that it? But what is this? If the Assault Turtle Ship intrudes, it will be a complete rout? Get out of here!”

When Jang Hang-sun shouted, the staff had no choice but to shut their mouths and lower their heads. Looking at the staff who were bowing their heads so low that they were almost burying them, Jang Hang-sun shouted.

“And you still have the nerve to ask for a budget? Do you?”

* * *

While Jang Hang-sun was tearing apart the Navy headquarters’ staff in Livorno, Han Myung-hoi was discussing the ‘Navy budget’ with Hyang.

“…So, the construction direction of the Navy’s fronts has changed significantly.”

“Is that so? The Ministry of Finance must be wearing a long face.”

“It can’t be helped.”

At Hyang’s words, Han Myung-hoi replied with a detached expression. The Imperial Navy and the Ministry of National Defense, having received the results of this ‘Corsica naval battle,’ began to completely revise the planned front construction plan.

-For the next 10 years or so, Challenger-class fronts and Haeung-class fronts will be maintained as the main force.

-After that, new fronts with steam engines will begin to be operated as the main force.

This was the existing plan, but it was completely revised through this Corsica naval battle.

-The fronts made at the shipyard in Suez may have strong firepower, but their defense is the worst.

-Therefore, in order to protect the Empire’s interests in the Mediterranean in the future, a front with at least the defense and firepower of the Haeung-class is required.

-Mobility is also a problem. The Challenger-class fronts suffered losses in this Corsica naval battle because they lost speed due to headwinds. They must be able to reach the desired speed regardless of headwinds or tailwinds.

-Conclusion: Ironclad ships with steam engines will be the main ships, and ironclad ships will be auxiliary ships.

“Hmm…”

Hyun, who had received the revision submitted by the Imperial Navy and the Ministry of National Defense, carefully examined it and asked the Minister of National Defense.

“Are the auxiliary ships the fronts to be used in the Mediterranean?”

“Yes, Your Majesty. They are ironclad ships to replace the Haeung-class.”

“Wouldn’t it be better to make them all iron ships?”

Lim Soon-wook, who was next to him, immediately interjected.

“The Ministry of Finance will submit a joint resignation petition.”

“Ah, I see. Tch…”

Hyun, unable to hide his disappointment, smacked his lips and examined the expected diagrams of the new fronts attached to the revision, smacking his lips again.

“Tch… The placement of the cannons is still fixed on the left and right.”

The rotating turret that Hyun had been working on until he became Emperor was still under development. Knowing this, Hyun only smacked his lips.

‘If only 10 years or so had passed, I would have been able to mount a rotating turret… But, since the situation is not favorable…’

In the end, Hyun had no choice but to step back and stamp the revision.

“Proceed with the plan in good cooperation with the Ministry of Finance.”

“Your Imperial Majesty’s grace is boundless!”

After that, conspiracy theories spread within the Ministry of Finance.

“Did these warmongers cause an accident on purpose?”

-They deliberately suffered great losses in Corsica in order to satisfy their desire to replace all of the Navy’s fronts with iron ships and ironclad ships.

However, the Ministry of Finance did not know. That there were others who were truly possessed by madness.

* * *

“The Navy was defeated in Corsica?”

“That’s right.”

The artisans in charge of design at the shipyards in Shinji, including the main base of Area 51 and Area 51, all perked up their ears at the results of the ‘Corsica naval battle.’ In particular, when they heard the news that the latest cannons used by the Imperial Navy had been captured, these designers all lit up their eyes.

“I see…”

It was certain that the great powers of Europe would imitate the captured cannons, and if so, the Imperial Navy would need more powerful fronts. Later, when the Imperial Navy and the Ministry of National Defense actually delivered the ‘New Front Construction Revision,’ the designers all rolled up their sleeves.

“This is an opportunity!”

And ideas full of madness began to pour out like a flood. And the higher-ups who received them all put their hands on their foreheads.

“The Supreme Emperor has ruined everyone…”

Although full of madness, the higher-ups’ concerns deepened as they were full of plausible reasons, goals, and tactical value.

“It is difficult for us to make a proper evaluation with our abilities.”

“I agree. Let’s send it up.”

As a result, these ideas were sent up to Hyun.

“This is really something…”

Hyun, who was examining the ideas, put his hand on his forehead. In some ways, it was creative innovation, and in others, it was the delusion of a madman. Hyun, pondering over the ideas, called a eunuch and ordered.

“Send these, including all the ideas that come up in the future, to the Supreme Emperor in Italy immediately.”

“I obey your command.”

* * *

While the situation was being sorted out to some extent in Livorno and the main base, Han Myung-hoi was submitting a report to Hyang.

“Hmm… The Kingdom of Naples is highly likely to decide to advance north?”

“That is correct.”

At Han Myung-hoi’s answer, Hyang carefully examined the report. After examining the report several times, Hyang finally nodded.

“From a political point of view, it seems that the Prime Minister’s judgment is correct. ‘A northward advance to the extent that it does not directly contact our Empire and Northern Italy’… Hmm…”

Hyang, who trailed off, looked at the map and continued.

“Is the game decided by who sets foot in Rome first?'”