Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 1006

1006. Meanwhile, Elsewhere… (11)

Considering profitability, this type of transport was very uneconomical. That’s why the imperialists frowned when Europeans called it the ‘Great Circular Route,’ even adding the prefix ‘Great.’ Of course, the Europeans were aware of this as well.

“If only we could freely use those ports…”

The Europeans salivated as they looked at the ports of the Nanshinji Islands, where sugarcane distilleries were located. If they could freely use those ports, the development of Gloria, as well as the operational efficiency of the Great Circular Route, could be increased several times over.

However, they were only entering under the pretext of ‘sugarcane transport.’ Eventually, not only England and France, but also Portugal and Italy, began to harbor ulterior motives.

“What ways are there to make those islands ours?”

* * *

The first method that the European powers considered, and the first they gave up on, to take the islands of the Nanshinji Islands for themselves was ‘force.’

“We have to cross the Atlantic, but those guys are right in front of us; it’s too disadvantageous.”

“Distance aside, have you forgotten how tough the imperial troops in Shinji are? Think about the war in Italy. When they’re far away, they fire cannons like crazy, when they get closer, they shoot bullets like crazy, and when they get even closer, they throw axes.”

Due to the excessive distance to project force and the difference in military power, the European powers gave up on using force.

“It’s impossible now, but someday…”

For now.

* * *

The Empire was not ignoring the actions of European powers either. Letters were constantly exchanged between Xiang, Xian, and Wan, and officials discussed it every day.

“I believe handing over the sugarcane distilleries was a bad move.”

“There are many who evaluate it as being penny-wise and pound-foolish.”

When Xian raised the issue on behalf of Wan and the ministers, Xiang nodded.

“It may seem that way. However, the sugarcane distilleries had to be handed over. We were seeing too overwhelming of a profit.”

“Are you saying that if we hadn’t handed them over, they would have antagonized the Empire?”

“Probably.”

Xian sighed at Xiang’s answer.

“Hoo~. The prime ministers and ministers have been saying similar things. I heard that down below, people are even saying, ‘We shouldn’t have made them in the first place.'”

Xiang scoffed at Xian’s words.

“Humph! Criticizing the problem like that after it has already happened is the most common characteristic of petty people. If they were gentlemen, they would have risked their lives to advise against it before it happened. If they were magnanimous, they would acknowledge reality and find the best way to deal with it.”

Having stated that definitively, Xiang glared at the scribes. Startled by Xiang’s gaze, the scribes diligently pounded on their typewriters. Dismissing the rumors from below, Xiang continued speaking to Xian.

“The islands of the Nanshinji Islands, where the sugarcane distilleries are located, are a concern, but there are also good points, aren’t there?”

Xian, who had been thinking about something at Xiang’s words, brightened his eyes.

“Is it the 螳螂在後 [mántáng zài hòu – mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind] plan?”

When the idiom meaning ‘The mantis is so focused on the cicada that it doesn’t see the bird behind it’ was mentioned, Xiang nodded.

“Similar.”

Xiang, having answered, explained in more detail.

-The place where the Empire’s interests are most at stake is the Shinji mainland.

-While the European powers are distracted by the islands of the Nanshinji Islands, we will strengthen our control and defense of the Shinji mainland.

-If the Empire firmly controls the Shinji mainland, the European powers will not covet the Shinji mainland for the time being. Then, the Empire will not miss that opportunity and further strengthen its defenses.

-If this cycle is repeated, the Empire’s borders will become safer.

“Ah! I see! You’re not seeing the problems caused by handing over the sugarcane distilleries as problems, but using them as a stepping stone for a new plan!”

“That’s right.”

Xian’s face, which had been bright as he listened to Xiang’s explanation, soon darkened.

“However, the problem is the budget. Even now, there is a constant stream of petitions saying that the budget allocated to the Ministry of National Defense is excessive.”

Xiang frowned at Xian’s words and replied.

“The problem is that those fools are the loudest.”

Every year, at the end and beginning of the year, the Imperial Court posted notices related to the budget in government offices across the country. The notice posted at the end of the year informed where and how much the next year’s budget would be used, and the one posted at the beginning of the year informed how much was spent last year.

And every time, petitions flooded in like a deluge. Among them, the most numerous petitions criticized the excessive proportion of defense spending.

“Humph!”

Xiang scoffed and continued.

“What was it? Even if the walls protecting the commoner’s hometown are low, strong men cannot easily cross them, and even if the moat is shallow, there is no one who can jump over it. The four sides of this empire are surrounded by a wide sea, so what else could this be if not a natural moat? No matter how powerful the cannonballs of powerful artillery are, they cannot cross the sea, so what else could this be if not a natural fortress? Since ancient times, those who have prospered by the sword have perished by the sword. Cultivating virtue rather than honing martial arts and enlightening the four directions is the true royal road. Tsk, tsk, tsk!”

Xian, seeing Xiang shaking his head and clicking his tongue, involuntarily asked a question.

“Do you remember all of that?”

“I remembered it because it was so absurd. What, no matter how powerful the cannonballs of powerful artillery are, they cannot cross the sea? To not know that it is possible! Hup!”

Xiang, who had inadvertently spoken his mind, hurriedly shut his mouth. However, Xian did not miss this.

“Is it possible by any chance? Perhaps, is there something you have already devised?”

“Ah… that’s…”

Xiang, who was trying to stammer and prevaricate, gave up after seeing Xian’s expression.

‘Oh, well! The words have already been spoken, and the aftermath is none of my business!’

“I had such thoughts while devising the Sanhwa Divine Arrow.”

“Hmm…”

“Thoughts, thoughts.”

“Hmm… I understand.”

As Xian, wearing a strange expression, stepped back, Xiang hurriedly wrapped things up.

“I think we must not let our guard down because the European powers are a race that knows no giving up when it comes to their own interests. However, I don’t think we should put a strain on the lives of the court and the people. I think His Majesty already knows this well, but I say it out of concern.”

“I will engrave it in my heart.”

As time passed and everyone left, Xiang, left alone in the room, sighed.

“Hoo~. That was close. By the way, is it almost time for me to go? I’ve become too lax. Anyway…”

Xiang looked out the window with a worried expression.

“The smell of war is getting stronger again. If even one of the European powers creates smokeless gunpowder, it’s the real start of the race.”

Meanwhile, before long, rumors began to spread to Area 51 and Area 52 across the sea.

-The Supreme Emperor said that it is possible to have artillery that can fire cannonballs across the sea!

-No! He said it is possible with the Sanhwa Divine Arrow!

“Really~?”

The artisans who heard the rumors began to have sparkling eyes. And the thing Xiang was worried about happened.

Smokeless gunpowder came out of England.

* * *

The beginning of the matter was a village located on the outskirts of Southampton, England. In Mar, where about 60 households gathered around a church, there was a peculiar existence.

An amateur alchemist with all sorts of bad nicknames such as visionary, dreamer, braggart, and madman. The neighbors clicked their tongues whenever they saw the alchemist in question.

“Tsk! He used to be a diligent friend.”

“I know, right? He was a friend who worked hard when he worked…”

“What a misfortune…”

“The most pitiful is that guy’s wife.”

The problem arose for Dobby, the amateur alchemist who made the neighbors click their tongues, after hearing the rumor that someone who made a fortune in France was sitting on a pile of money. Dobby, who had always been interested in gunpowder, had a lifelong goal as soon as he heard the rumor.

“He became rich with fortune? Then, gunpowder! It’s gunpowder! The gunpowder of the Eastern Empire is said to be powerful with little smoke, right? If I can make something like that, I can become rich too!”

Dobby, having set a goal, devoted himself to research from then on. And as time passed, discord never ceased in Dobby’s family. This was because Dobby’s wife was entirely responsible for maintaining the household as Dobby devoted himself to research.

For the first 2-3 years, Dobby’s wife did not complain much either. However, as that time passed 5 years and 10 years, Dobby’s wife could not stand it either.

“You damn fool! How long are you going to cling to something that won’t work! You have to work!”

“Just wait a little bit. I think it’s going to work if I do a little more.”

“That little bit has already been several years! You damn fool! Work, work!”

While eating humble pie under such nagging, Dobby continued his research. Then one day, Dobby, who was conducting research in the laboratory – or rather, the kitchen and living room – caused an accident.

Clang!

He dropped the sulfuric acid bottle and the nitric acid bottle that were on the experimental desk.

“Oh no!”

Dobby hurriedly grabbed a towel that was nearby with his hands wearing thick gloves and wiped the floor. Enduring the stinging smell of nitric acid, Dobby wiped the floor and was horrified to see the messed up towel. It was not a towel, but his wife’s precious apron.

“What am I going to do…”

It was as if Dobby, staring blankly at the ruined apron, could already hear his wife’s curses. And at some point, Dobby’s reason flew away.

“Why only me! I want to succeed too!”

Dobby, who had lost his reason due to the accumulated stress, threw the apron into the fireplace in front of him.

Moment.

Boom!

The moment the apron touched the flames of the fireplace, the flames exploded. Unfortunately, there were all sorts of flammable items around the stove, and the fire spread to them.

“Fire! Fire!”

As the fire spread into the house, Dobby hurriedly jumped outside. While the neighbors who discovered the fire rushed to put it out, Dobby, who was standing there in despair, suddenly brightened his eyes.

‘Flame, like an explosion… explosion? Explosion!’

At that moment, Dobby began to laugh like crazy.

“Hahahahahaha!”

“What’s so funny! I can’t stand it anymore! Divorce!”

And as time passed, Europe’s first smokeless gunpowder, known as ‘Divorce Gunpowder’ or ‘D-Gunpowder,’ was born. The European powers, having obtained intelligence, used bribes and spies to find out the secret of smokeless gunpowder from England. And before long, the European powers began to create similar smokeless gunpowder.

Apart from the fact that Dobby sat on a pile of money with the smokeless gunpowder he developed, this was to herald the beginning of Europe’s second arms race. It was also around this time that the Japanese merchants of Naniwa smelled the scent of money mixed with the smell of blood.

-War is money.

The Japanese merchants of Naniwa, who had firmly imprinted this through their past experiences, began to move quickly.