Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 963

963. Choice, Betrayal, Negotiation (3)

As Lorenzo de Medici explained, Cesare Borgia’s choice was a forced one. The only way he could survive while maintaining even a semblance of power was to join the ‘Italian Unification Movement.’

“Hoo… If only those French and Spanish bastards had done their jobs properly…”

Cesare Borgia sighed, cursing France and Spain.

* * *

If France and Spain had subdued the Holy Roman Empire and Florence, he wouldn’t have been forced to betray them. Or, if they had simply prolonged the war, he could have demanded a hefty price for his allegiance. But France and Spain, who had charged in with such fanfare only to be utterly defeated, were now cowering, merely observing from a distance.

They had managed to strike a blow against the Imperial Navy in the naval battle of Corsica, but that was it. The enraged Imperial Navy scoured the seas, hunting down the French and Spanish warships that had sought refuge in ports like Corsica and Naples, and destroyed them. Ultimately, only a handful of warships managed to evade the Imperial Navy’s surveillance and escape to the Duchy of Savoy and Sicily, marking the end of their campaign. Those warships that remained holed up in ports never dared to venture out to sea again.

The common people described the Corsica naval battle with a simple analogy:

“It was like a stray dog biting a tiger’s tail, not knowing its place.”

A cynical cardinal in the Vatican—likely Giovanni di Lorenzo de Medici—offered an even more cutting remark:

“What good does it do for a prisoner to punch a guard in the nose? He’s still trapped in his cell. It only makes his situation worse. Did he really expect the guard to say, ‘You’re the first person to hit me, I’ll let you go’? Even a hack playwright wouldn’t write such a ridiculous scene.”

As the cardinal pointed out, the situation in the Mediterranean worsened considerably for France and Spain. The Imperial Navy fleet patrolled the entire Mediterranean with a vengeance. Any ship flying the French or Spanish flag was either sunk or captured.

Ships without flags were subjected to mandatory inspections, and any items prohibited by the Empire—primarily drugs—were immediately confiscated. If they attempted to flee or resist, they were considered pirates and sunk without hesitation. The Imperial Navy’s aggressive actions even made the Ottoman Empire cautious. Ottoman ships didn’t even raise their anchors in the western North African region of the Mediterranean. This led to a conspiracy theory circulating among merchants in the Mediterranean:

“Didn’t the Imperial Navy deliberately feign weakness in Corsica?”

* * *

In this precarious situation, Cesare Borgia had decided to betray, but he was still determined to extract a high price for his allegiance. The problem was that Venice had the same idea.

-Show off the strength of the troops I command to increase my value!

“That could be seen as recklessness,” Cesare’s confidant warned after hearing his true intentions, but Cesare confidently replied:

“It’s not recklessness.”

* * *

There were always those willing to betray their country for personal gain. Florence was no exception. As the war intensified, the production of military supplies surged. Mass production and a total war system led to a significant increase in output, but management remained disorganized.

The Imperial system was implemented to address this, but in the meantime, a substantial amount of weapons and military supplies flowed south through smugglers. Unlike the strictly controlled north, the south was far more lenient.

* * *

Through this black market, Cesare managed to build an additional 2,000-strong rifle brigade armed with Florentine rifles. Combining this with his existing rifle brigade and artillery, he commanded a force of approximately 10,000 riflemen and an artillery unit with 50 cannons.

“This is quite formidable!”

Confident in his strength, Cesare drafted a lengthy list of demands. Examining the list with its numerous requirements, Cesare wore a satisfied expression.

“This is quite modest.”

“It seems excessive for a duchy of our size. Shouldn’t you reduce it somewhat?”

Cesare shook his head and responded to his worried aide.

“I’m telling you, this is modest. It’s enough to deter the Imperial Army! And negotiation is bargaining! You have to start with a high asking price!”

However, the news that followed filled Cesare with despair.

-The main force heading to the duchy is the Imperial Army. In fact, most of the forces are Imperial Army units.

-Troop size: at least 30,000.

“Damn it!”

Cesare cursed and tore up the list he had prepared.

-The Empire doesn’t negotiate.

-You want to negotiate? Don’t you know what happened to Milan?

The fate of Milan, where the city walls themselves were dismantled after rejecting the Empire’s proposal, was infamous. In the end, Cesare only made the bare minimum of essential demands.

* * *

When news of Cesare’s betrayal reached Rome, the city was thrown into turmoil.

“I told you not to trust that bastard!”

Juan Borgia de Gandia, Duke of Gandia, Alexander VI’s illegitimate son and Cesare Borgia’s brother, erupted in anger, veins bulging in his neck.

“I’ve told you countless times that he’s the kind of man who would go to Mecca and praise Allah if it suited his interests!”

“Hoo…”

Juan’s accusations continued, and Pope Alexander VI, with a pained expression, rested his hand on his forehead and sighed.

“That damn bastard!”

As Juan paced around the room, cursing Cesare, Alexander VI sighed and muttered to himself.

‘How can brothers born from the same womb be so different…’

* * *

Juan and Cesare, born to Alexander VI and Vannozza Cattanei, were known for their bitter rivalry. To be precise, they were not just rivals, but sworn enemies. The root of their animosity was power.

When Alexander VI became Pope, Juan received the titles of Papal Gonfalonier [commander of the papal army], Commander-in-Chief of the Papal Army, Administrator of St. Peter’s Basilica, Duke of Gandia, Duke of Sessa, and Grand Constable of the Kingdom of Naples. In contrast, Cesare only became a cardinal from the bishop of Pamplona.

For the sake of the family’s advancement, Alexander VI entrusted military power to Juan and made Cesare a cardinal. Cesare resented this and viewed Juan as an obstacle. Juan was aware of this and kept a watchful eye on Cesare.

Eventually, when the discord between the two became unbearable, Alexander VI summoned Cesare for a private discussion. Afterward, Cesare resigned from his position as cardinal and, with Alexander VI’s support, began to establish the Duchy of Romagna. It would have been ideal if it had ended there, but the situation only deteriorated. Shortly before the war, Juan was attacked.

While Juan was walking the streets of Rome at night with only two guards and a servant, assassins disguised as thieves ambushed him. During the struggle, one guard and the servant were killed, and Juan sustained minor injuries in a major incident.

“I would have been dead if it weren’t for these.”

What saved Juan’s life were two Imperial-made six-shot cavalry carbines [short rifles]. Juan, who had purchased them through the black market, always carried them, and they proved crucial in his narrow escape. Juan attempted to identify the attackers who died at the scene and uncover the mastermind, but the case remained unsolved.

However, rumors spread throughout Rome that Cesare was the mastermind behind the attack. This was because Cesare was virtually the only one who stood to gain from Juan’s demise—inheriting several ducal titles and the position of Commander-in-Chief of the Papal Army. However, Cesare was residing in the Duchy of Romagna, creating a situation of ‘suspicion without evidence,’ and the case had to be abandoned.

Although the case remained unsolved, Juan seethed with anger whenever he heard Cesare’s name. And now, he was venting his rage at Cesare in front of Alexander VI.

* * *

“Hoo… So…”

Alexander VI sighed deeply and asked Juan.

“So, is there any way to escape this current crisis?”

“…”

At Alexander VI’s question, Juan remained silent. The state of the Papal Army gathered in Rome was dire. Compared to the army advancing from the north, its size was pitifully small, and morale was at an all-time low. They were fortunate to have at least brought their weapons. They had hoped for support from the Kingdom of Naples army in the south, but that hope was quickly dashed.

This was due to the slogan proclaimed by the Kingdom of Naples.

-Italians must decide the unification and internal affairs of Italy!

-The Kingdom of Naples rejects foreign intervention!

-We have dispatched troops to prevent foreign intervention!

Nowhere in the justifications put forward by the Kingdom of Naples was there any mention of ‘protecting the Papal States’ or ‘protecting the Pope.’ In this war, the Pope and the Papal States were completely disregarded.

“Is there a way?”

“…There is no military solution.”

“What about France and Spain?”

“They are hiding, simply watching and waiting.”

At Juan’s response, Alexander VI once again rested his hand on his forehead. After pondering for a long time, Alexander VI raised his head and looked at Juan.

“You mean there is no military solution?”

“That’s right.”

“Then you’re saying we have to negotiate… What can we hope to gain through negotiation?”

“Perhaps the safety of the Church and Your Holiness. If we are fortunate, we might be able to secure recognition for the Papal States outside of Italy?”

At Juan’s answer, Alexander VI looked disheartened.

“Outside of Italy? The moment we lose control of Italy, we lose all the Papal States beyond, correct?”

Besides Italy, there were still a significant number of Papal States in various parts of Europe. These Papal States were granted to cardinals and bishops as territories, and they were coveted prizes for secular lords. If the Papal States within Italy were lost, the Papal States elsewhere would be quickly seized and dissolved.

“…Still, negotiating to the best of our ability is the only option.”

“That’s right. We must conclude this before the Papal Army collapses entirely.”

With France and Spain offering no assistance, negotiation was the only viable solution. Furthermore, the Papal Army stationed in Rome was becoming a liability. Morale was at rock bottom, and salaries were consistently delayed. If they made a mistake, they would devolve into a band of robbers, plundering the Church instead of defending it.

“Send an envoy. Tell them we wish to negotiate. Tell them the Vatican is fully prepared to cooperate in the unification of Italy.”

* * *

Hyang, upon hearing the news from the Vatican’s envoy, immediately summoned Han Myung-hoi.

“Will the Prime Minister take the lead?”

“Please leave it to me! The beginning of war is politics, and the end of war is also politics. I am confident in my political abilities!”

“Then I entrust it to the Prime Minister.”

“I will do my utmost!”

Hyang, having delegated the task to Han Myung-hoi, gazed at Gibraltar on the map and muttered.

“We must return what we received and take what we need.”