Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 1023

1023. Alsace-Lorraine (1)

While Hyang and Hyun were busy sketching out the ‘Future of Scholars and Artisans – Hope and Despair Edition,’ a spark of war was rekindling in Europe, ignited by ‘coal’.

* * *

The concept of the steam engine, introduced from the Empire, sparked a frenzy of development across Europe. The steam engine represented the ultimate power source, surpassing the limitations of traditional sources like human, animal, water, and wind power.

With a steady supply of clean water, a steam engine could provide power 24/7, regardless of location. Beyond a stable power supply, their size and output could be adjusted relatively freely.

This proved a tremendous boon for merchants and industrialists in cities. European cities soon teemed with factories, large and small, powered by steam engines. Railways, with their iron horses spewing black smoke, began connecting cities. As life without steam engines became unimaginable, the major European powers faced a new problem: fuel supply.

* * *

Europe’s forests were nearing extinction. Deforestation in Europe traced back to Rome. In expanding its empire, Rome decimated European forests for weapons and fleets.

Beyond military needs, Rome, the empire’s headquarters, and its colonial cities invariably featured bathhouses, requiring vast amounts of timber. Deforestation briefly subsided after Rome’s fall but soon accelerated again.

The widespread use of iron weapons, symbolized by ‘knights’ armor,’ led to the disappearance of vast forest areas near the Czech Republic and Hungary, causing devastating climate and ecosystem changes and widespread famine.

Only the significant population reduction caused by the plague allowed Europe’s forests and ecosystems to slowly recover. However, the introduction of the steam engine once again threatened the forests.

* * *

The steam engine wasn’t the only cause of the European powers’ fuel problems. An even larger and more powerful presence existed: the steel mill.

‘Something you must have to overwhelm the other guys. Bigger cannons and bigger steel mills.’

To overwhelm bordering ‘scoundrels,’ a strong military was needed, requiring factories capable of producing powerful weapons in large quantities. A powerful iron horse was also needed to supply materials to the factory and transport finished products.

In short, a larger steel mill capable of producing more steel was needed. Operating such a mill required more fuel, but Europe’s forest area was already strained. Having experienced the consequences firsthand, Europeans were wary of further deforestation, even without a formal academic theory.

Then, some recalled Marco Polo’s ‘Travels of the Orient’ [a 13th-century travelogue that introduced Europeans to Central Asia and China].

-In Kitai [historical name for China] in the East, they use coal as fuel!

Echoing the Travels of the Orient, those who had visited the Empire reported similar practices, and the European powers turned their attention to the forgotten existence of coal.

* * *

Among the great powers, England was the first to utilize coal. England’s reliance on wood as fuel had caused severe forest damage. Furthermore, as an island nation, supplying timber was particularly costly.

Therefore, England’s choice was almost inevitable. However, choosing coal became a ‘turning point’.

Coal mines required significant labor, creating a new job market. Those receiving stable, long-term wages became excellent consumers, activating the market.

As these elements interlocked, England’s internal market grew, and commercial, industrial forces, and capitalists grew stronger.

* * *

Other great powers, witnessing England’s ‘virtuous cycle of development,’ recognized coal’s utility and quickly adopted it.

For the European powers embracing ‘Imperial-style industrialization,’ coal was a ‘black diamond.’

“No, it’s more precious than a diamond!”

Like in England, the coal mining industry created new job markets and consumer markets, attracting more and more people. Many tenant farmers left the countryside for mines or cities, expanding the market that supplied them with food, clothing, and shelter.

Many entered commerce and industry to capitalize on the growing market, and the capital market that financed them also grew. However, Hyang’s expression darkened upon hearing this.

“At this rate, it’s not Karl Marx who writes Das Kapital [a foundational text of Marxist theory], but Marx’s great-grandfather or great-great-grandfather! Or Rousseau or Voltaire [influential Enlightenment thinkers].”

* * *

Thanks to Hyang’s influence, infused with Confucian ‘benevolent rule’ and ‘love for the people,’ the Empire had a fairly developed welfare and employment system. Furthermore, the Empire’s system was refined by the progressive thinking of its people, particularly regarding the perception of the disabled.

However, the European powers were not yet capable of such advancements. Workers in factories and mines received fixed wages, but at a ‘very meager’ level compared to the Empire.

“No, even when making a cow work, they feed it properly, but this seems too much?”

“Leave it alone. If the cow collapses, they will say ‘Ah~’ and fix it themselves.”

Ironically, improvements began faster than expected, a result of Hyang’s butterfly effect [the idea that small actions can have large consequences].

As Hyang and the Empire seized vast territories, including Bukji and Shinji, Europe’s colonial expansion stagnated, hindering the ruthless labor exploitation seen before Hyang’s intervention.

Previously, capitalists squeezed workers to produce goods, which were then ‘forcibly’ sold to colonies for huge profits. This allowed for substantial profits even while ignoring the consumer market created by domestic workers. Capitalists, therefore, had no need to address harsh working conditions or the lives of workers.

However, with colonial expansion blocked by the Empire, the consumer market created by workers became the primary market for capitalists.

As the people of the Empire said, ‘You have to feed the cow well and make it work to fill your own stomach.’

* * *

As industrialization progressed, the value of ‘coal’ and ‘steel’ skyrocketed. The great powers searched every corner of their territory for coal and iron mines. However, not all mines were useful.

‘Profitability’ was key.

More profitable mines than unprofitable ones were ideal, but a problem arose if this wasn’t the case. Two solutions existed: operate with increased effort or seize the profitable mines from others.

Most of the mainland great powers chose the latter, with Alsace and Lorraine, especially Lorraine, being prime examples.

* * *

France began coveting Lorraine when coal became essential for steam engines and steel mills. Previously, Lorraine’s main export was low-grade iron ore with high sulfur content, fetching a low price. However, as France’s industrialization progressed, the situation changed rapidly. It became a ‘land flowing with milk and honey,’ yielding both coal and iron ore.

The lords and ruling classes of the free cities governing Lorraine profited greatly from exporting iron ore and coal. As always, one’s gain is another’s loss, and France’s envy grew.

“We have to do something about those things…”

Adding fuel to the fire was Lorraine’s strategic location. Seizing Lorraine and Alsace would create a natural barrier defending France’s eastern border. Conversely, losing this territory would block Habsburg’s access to the Atlantic Ocean via the Rhine River.

France and the Habsburgs were never allies, especially since the Habsburgs had supported the Duchy of Burgundy’s independence. Charles VIII and his ministers convened again, bracing for another war.

“Where should we strike first?”

“Lorraine, then Alsace.”

“Hmm…”

Charles VIII nodded. Duke Louis of Orléans, next in line to the throne due to the deaths of Charles VIII’s children, pointed out the problem.

“The problem is justification. A proper justification can be as powerful as an army of 100,000.”

Louis’s point resonated with Charles VIII and his ministers.

‘He’s growing more and more as he gets involved with the Empire.’

Louis’s competence was reassuring. The Prime Minister addressed Louis’s concern.

“We have the perfect justification: the bishoprics the Habsburgs seized during Italian unification.”

During Italian unification, the Vatican lost all papal territories and bishoprics within Italy, except for the Duchy of Romagna, which quickly switched allegiance. This loss provided a convenient excuse for the great powers.

The great powers pressured the Pope to confiscate papal territories and bishoprics in their countries and claim them.

“…The Habsburgs took three bishoprics in Lorraine, but their claim isn’t absolute. This is our justification.”

“How?”

The Prime Minister smiled slyly.

“Who is the successor to the Frankish kingdom of the great Emperor Charlemagne [King of the Franks and Holy Roman Emperor]? It is France. The legitimacy is ours.”

Louis frowned.

“Aren’t you going too far?”

“We must start there and gradually negotiate. Isn’t that the basis of negotiation?”

“Aha!”

Charles VIII muttered, realizing something.

“Is this the war room of France or the war room of the Empire…? It’s too tainted.”