Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 961

961. Selection, Betrayal, Negotiation (1)

Although the design for the unified Italian flag was settled, the behind-the-scenes maneuvering continued. Seamstresses renowned for their skill from Florence, Genoa, and Milan were mobilized to create flags of all sizes, while carpenters and blacksmiths were tasked with crafting flagpoles and decorative elements.

“The flagpole and flag that will stand proudly before St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome must be ours!”

A sort of pride-fueled competition had erupted. This extended to military uniforms as well. With the black Florentine army uniform chosen as the standard for the unified Italian army, all soldiers were now required to wear the same attire. However, as the ground war experienced a lull, the soldiers, with time on their hands, began customizing their uniforms—particularly their military caps.

When soldiers from other cities observed the Florentine army adorning their caps with black grouse feathers, they started replacing them with feathers of various colors. Initially, they simply used pheasant or other bird feathers, but soon, dyed feathers were being lavishly incorporated into their military caps. Hyang, witnessing these caps decorated with literally ‘colorful’ feathers, muttered with an incredulous expression.

“Red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet… Is this a Power Rangers squadron, or an army? Well, maybe not, since they haven’t altered the uniforms themselves… yet?”

As time went on, feather decorations alone weren’t enough. The brooches attaching the feathers to the caps and the cap badges on the front became increasingly ornate. Imperial and Swiss soldiers, eyeing the sparkling, gold- and silver-plated brooches and cap badges, clicked their tongues and muttered.

“Those are perfect targets… Do they realize that and still wear them?”

* * *

While these displays of civic pride played out, preparations for the southern advance progressed steadily, culminating in a formal send-off ceremony. Hyang, Lorenzo de Medici, and the leaders of the allied cities stood on a platform erected in front of the Florence administration building. The audience on either side was filled with nobles and citizens from the allied cities, as well as Florentine dignitaries and residents.

As the Imperial military band played the ‘Infantry March,’ the rows of soldiers marched across the plaza toward Siena, their destination in the south. However, even this send-off ceremony was not without its complications.

“As this is a send-off for the unification of Italy, I will gladly yield the lead to the Italian army.”

Florence and the allied cities gratefully accepted Hyang’s gesture. However, a new issue arose.

“Who will lead the Italian army’s procession?”

“Naturally, it should be Florence! We initiated the unification war!”

“That’s true, but it’s not appropriate for Florence to always be in the lead! We are all allies now, after all!”

“Exactly! And Genoa is responsible for holding back France and Spain during the southern advance! Considering that, we should be given the honor of leading!”

“If we’re going that far, then Venice should lead, as we suffered the most damage! Venice bore the brunt of foreign aggression during this war!”

Eventually, Hyang, unable to bear their squabbling over who would lead, intervened once more.

“Let the soldiers march in eight columns, with each city responsible for two columns! Place a standard-bearer holding the Italian flag at the very front, followed by standard-bearers carrying the flags of each city!”

“Ah!”

The city representatives accepted Hyang’s proposal with relieved expressions. Back in his room, Hyang sighed deeply and muttered to himself.

“I think I now understand King Solomon’s [biblical king known for his wisdom in settling disputes] suffering.”

At the send-off ceremony, which proceeded with its share of difficulties, the Imperial military band, upon the Imperial army’s arrival before the platform, switched from the ‘Infantry March’ to the ‘Imperial March,’ which they had been playing repeatedly.

As the solemn ‘Imperial March,’ filled the plaza, the Imperial army, led by the Imperial standard-bearer, marched across the square.

“Salute!”

At Lee Si-ae’s command, following behind the standard-bearer on horseback, the Imperial soldiers all turned their gaze towards Hyang and shouted.

“Chung! [Loyalty!]”

Hyang, in response, politely raised his right hand to his chest and returned the salute. This display made a powerful impression on the leaders and nobles from Genoa, Milan, and Venice.

‘This truly is the 모습 [image/sight] of a strong army!’

The somber music and the disciplined marching were beyond mere admiration, bordering on awe.

‘Is this what the Roman army, spoken of only in legends, was like?’

And numerous artists, including Da Vinci, were frantically sketching the scene.

* * *

As the Imperial-Italian Allied Forces commenced their southern advance, the troop deployment was as follows:

-Total troops: Approximately 250,000.

Imperial Army: Approximately 100,000, including Swiss soldiers.

Florence and Allied City Army: Approximately 150,000.

-50,000 troops, primarily composed of 30,000 Genoese troops and reinforced by 20,000 Imperial and Swiss troops, were tasked with containing the French and Spanish forces.

-30,000 troops, consisting of 10,000 Milanese troops and 20,000 Venetian troops, were assigned to check the Habsburg advance from northern Milan and Venice.

-Of the 25,000 Swiss troops stationed in Switzerland, 18,000 were to monitor and primarily block French and Habsburg movements through the Alps.

-Approximately 30,000 and 20,000 troops were stationed in Florence and Bologna, respectively, as reserves, ready to be deployed south or north depending on the evolving war situation.

-Of the remaining approximately 100,000 troops, 10,000 were stationed on the Siena defense line, responsible for securing supply routes and maintaining the defensive perimeter.

-Of the 90,000, 55,000 Italian troops and 10,000 Imperial troops would advance south towards Rome.

The main offensive force was the Italian army, with the Imperial army providing fire support.

-25,000 troops, primarily from the Imperial army, were to strike San Marino and seize the Romagna Duchy east of the Apennine Mountains.

10,000 of the reserves stationed in Bologna were prepared for immediate mobilization to attack San Marino if necessary.

Due to the butterfly effect of Hyang’s intervention, the Romagna Duchy had been established earlier than in history. However, this resulted in a smaller territory compared to its historical size before the intervention. Before Hyang’s involvement, San Marino was the southernmost city, and the duchy occupied a large area between Genoa, Florence, and Milan, with Bologna at its center. Now, the duchy was a small entity with San Marino as its northernmost point, bordering the Kingdom of Naples to the south.

It was thanks to the protection of Pope Alexander VI that the duchy had secured its southern territory. However, there was still a significant risk that they would harass the advancing Imperial-Italian alliance through guerrilla warfare in the Apennine Mountains. Therefore, the Imperial and Swiss troops, skilled in mobile and mountain warfare, were chosen as the main force to attack San Marino.

* * *

Siena.

In the headquarters building of the advancing Imperial-Italian Allied Forces, Yoo Eung-boo studied the map and muttered.

“The plan always looks good on paper.”

It was an ambitious plan involving the movement of as many as 250,000 soldiers. The Empire was no stranger to deploying such a large army. The most recent examples were the Liaodong War and the Yellow Sea Naval Battle, now considered historical events.

Even among the current high-ranking officers in the Imperial Army, few had direct experience of those wars, and even those who did were low-ranking at the time, lacking a comprehensive view of the overall strategy. Consequently, Yoo Eung-boo was observing the situation with considerable anxiety.

“I would feel much more at ease if we had a fast and reliable means of communication…”

The Imperial Army’s light communication device was excellent in terms of accuracy and speed. However, its effective use required a tall and sturdy communication tower. While it could be deployed on the front lines when necessary, its capabilities were limited by the use of temporary, low watchtowers. Its effectiveness on the front lines relied on the Bigu [a type of trained bird] who relayed messages.

Therefore, the Imperial Ministry of National Defense had developed a plan to establish an ultra-long-distance communication network using Bigu and conducted experiments. However, the results were mixed. Communication using Bigu was certainly feasible, but like communication towers, it required launching Bigu at regular intervals.

The plan was abandoned due to the cost of producing and maintaining the Bigu, the physical limitations of the crew members, and environmental restrictions – launches were impossible even with a slight breeze. As a result, long-distance communication still primarily relied on couriers, messengers, and carrier pigeons.

“Isn’t there a more revolutionary method?”

Yoo Eung-boo, lost in thought, suddenly chuckled.

“What am I doing… I’m not the Supreme Emperor… I need to get a grip!”

Yoo Eung-boo, regaining his composure, returned his attention to the map. The Imperial-Italian Allied Forces, having departed from Siena, were advancing south in two separate columns. One group was heading towards Rome via Perugia, while the other was following the coastal road through Grosseto.

The Perugia route also served to cut off the connection between the Romagna Duchy and Rome, while the Grosseto route aimed to secure the plains along the way. In the case of the Grosseto route, the Imperial Navy was providing support by sea, preventing the Spanish army, which was moving to attack Genoa, from repeating their previous success against the Imperial Navy.

“The outcome of the battles in Perugia and Grosseto will determine the future course of the war.”

Yoo Eung-boo muttered, his face serious as he studied the map. Perugia and Grosseto were powerful archdioceses and the northernmost among the various dioceses within the Papal States. The response of the archbishops, metropolitan bishops, and church armies of Perugia and Grosseto, and the 승부 [outcome/result] of their battles, would significantly influence the reaction of the dioceses and church armies further south.

An easy victory for the Allied Forces would crush the morale of the priests and church armies, while a hard-fought victory or a sluggish advance would embolden them to resist.

“If I only considered that aspect, it would be best to place our Imperial Army at the forefront, but…”

Doing so would increase the dissatisfaction of Florence and the other allied cities, so the Imperial Army was relegated to a supporting role. The problem was that most of the soldiers from the allied cities, with the exception of Florence, were not mercenaries but volunteers recruited through 초모 [recruitment].

They had displayed great enthusiasm when leaving Siena, but even minor setbacks could cause their morale to plummet and turn them into a disorganized mob. This could even lead to the collapse of the relatively experienced Florentine army. For this reason, Yoo Eung-boo remained deeply concerned as he examined the map.

“Commander-in-chief! A report from Perugia!”

“Really? What’s the situation? Has a major battle begun?”

“They entered without bloodshed!”

“Huh?”

Yoo Eung-boo was momentarily stunned by the unexpected news.

“Entered without bloodshed?”

“Yes!”

Shortly after, another officer entered and reported to Yoo Eung-boo.

“A report has arrived stating that the Allied Forces have entered Grosseto without bloodshed!”

“Wow…”

Yoo Eung-boo, who had been standing in shock, quickly regained his composure and issued an immediate order.

“Tell them to send a detailed report as soon as possible!”