Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 1127

1127. The Middle East War (5)

Given the long-standing animosity between Sunnis and Shias, war seems unavoidable.

To bolster the monarch’s prestige, the Shah needs a victory.

“…The problem is, a successful offensive does more to enhance that prestige than a successful defense.”

The vizier, considering the situation, sighed softly.

“Hmm… Should we follow the Japanese advice? Purely from a war perspective, the Empire’s and Ming’s proposals are reasonable. However, for the sake of future rule, the Japanese plan is more appealing.”

Ultimately, the vizier, unable to decide, sought out Ismail.

“So, has the vizier reached a conclusion?”

“I’ve reviewed both proposals, and each has its own strengths and weaknesses.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. The Shah’s decision is required. Once the Shah decides, we, your subjects, will dedicate ourselves to carrying it out. Please forgive my inadequacy.”

The vizier bowed his head to Ismail, offering his apology.

In Middle Eastern countries, managing state affairs was the vizier’s second most important duty. His primary role was to advise the monarch. In that region, the vizier was considered ‘the wisest person in the country’ and ‘the most trustworthy’.

Thus, the vizier’s bow was an apology to Ismail for his inability to provide a definitive answer. Ismail smiled slightly at the apology and replied.

“How can the vizier be inadequate? The decision rests with me. And didn’t the vizier point out that both proposals have merits and demerits? The vizier has fulfilled his duty.”

“I am deeply grateful for your kind assessment.”

The vizier expressed his sincere appreciation.

Entrusted with the choice, Ismail rose and walked to the balcony. Looking at the minarets of the mosques beyond the palace walls, he muttered to himself.

‘This is truly a difficult decision. But a choice must be made. Otherwise, not only the people but also the imams [Islamic religious leaders] will abandon me.’

He had been raised in the Shia sect, specifically the Sufi order [a mystical branch of Islam], and was revered.

If he hesitated now, his divinity would be questioned, and in the worst-case scenario, he would be forsaken.

Finally, having made his decision, Ismail turned and returned to the throne.

“First, prepare for war. If the Ottomans don’t move, I will. And through this war, I will prove that I am the true ‘Shahanshah (King of Kings)’.”

“We obey your command!”

At Ismail’s declaration, the Iranian officials, including the vizier, bowed and responded loudly.

The vizier, in particular, was deeply impressed.

‘He has made an excellent choice!’

In the vizier’s opinion, Ismail’s decision was optimal.

-Since war is inevitable, prepare thoroughly.

-But first, prepare for a potential preemptive strike by the Ottomans.

-If the Ottomans remain inactive even after preparations are complete, then strike first.

It was a blend of the two conflicting proposals.

Soon after, the Iranian army, following the Shah’s order, began large-scale war preparations.

“It’s war! This is our chance!”

Most Iranian army commanders who heard the order welcomed it. For those newly entering the military, especially those who had converted and joined recently and were just beginning their careers, war was the perfect opportunity for advancement.

The Empire [referring to the Joseon Empire] and Ming officers sighed at the enthusiasm of the young Iranian commanders.

“Hoo… It’s like pouring fuel on a fire.”

“I agree. Did they learn this from the Japanese officers?”

“Judging by their spirit, they seem ready to march straight to Constantinople [modern-day Istanbul, then the Ottoman capital].”

While the Empire and Ming officers worried about the future with anxious expressions, the Japanese army officers, especially Ishiwara, were constantly raising their voices.

“East and West are destined to clash over the world!”

Ishiwara began to explain why the clash was inevitable.

-Looking at Western history, particularly European history, it is a history of war, a history of conquest.

-In other words, it is a history of hegemony [dominance of one group over others].

-Hegemony is unsustainable if it doesn’t constantly expand.

-On the other hand, the East has a history of the royal way [a Confucian concept of benevolent rule].

-The royal way values stability above all else.

-Expansion and stability are fundamentally incompatible.

-Therefore, the clash between hegemony and the royal way, between the West and the East, is an unavoidable destiny.

“…And the place where this clash will occur is right here, in the Middle East!”

Slapping the map, Ishiwara continued his impassioned speech.

“This war will be the prelude! And our Japan will make its name known throughout the world in this war and establish itself as a mediator!”

At Ishiwara’s words, all the Japanese officers’ eyes lit up.

Even the officers who still considered Ishiwara crazy were now excited. Even they could see that the expansionism of the European powers was a form of hegemony. And the Confucian ‘royal way’ ideology they had learned taught them that this was wrong.

Even without Confucian teachings, it was easy to predict that Europe and the East, expanding in such different ways, would eventually collide.

“Ishiwara is crazy, but it’s hard to deny that now is a good opportunity for Japan.”

“I agree.”

Even the Japanese army officers who disliked Ishiwara agreed with this.

Regardless of the whispers of his opponents, Ishiwara continued.

“Considering this, even if Iran attacks and defeats the Ottomans in this war, expanding its territory is not the best course of action! Establishing a new country in the acquired territory is the best option!”

“Huh?”

“What?”

“Establish a country?”

All the Japanese officers expressed their surprise at Ishiwara’s remarks, which went far beyond what they expected.

* * *

Around the same time, directives from the home country arrived for the Empire army officers as well.

When the Empire army officers gathered in a secure room, cut off from outside contact, the senior officer began to read the directive.

“Based on the information you have sent, we believe there is a high probability that Iran will launch an offensive first…”

Having read this far, not only the senior officer but all the officers in the room sighed.

“Hoo~.”

‘Damn time difference.’

‘The deed is already done.’

Due to the four-month round trip for communication, orders and directives from Seoul were always late. Nevertheless, the senior officer continued reading.

“The Empire’s goal in the region is to ensure a stable supply of oil through regional stability…”

The directive summarized:

-Regardless of the war’s outcome, it is undesirable for the Ottomans and Iran to remain in direct confrontation.

-Such a situation would lead to continued disputes and instability in the Middle East.

-This is detrimental to the Empire’s interests.

-Therefore, His Majesty the Emperor’s Joint Chiefs of Staff orders the following:

-Induce the establishment of a puppet state to serve as a buffer zone between the Ottomans and Iran.

-The home country will provide full support to this end.

“A puppet state?”

“A puppet…”

The Empire army officers, having confirmed the order, began to calculate the possibilities.

The officers, either thinking intently or scribbling in notebooks, began to nod.

“If we can persuade the Shah, it seems possible…”

“The problem is persuading that Shah.”

“Still, if we can persuade him…”

“Then it would be ideal.”

The Empire officers agreed that the home country’s order was the best solution.

However, it hinged on ‘if we can persuade the Shah’. And this was the most difficult hurdle. Monarchs rarely accept advice to establish another country in territory won in war.

Indeed, it was a proposal difficult for not only the monarch but also the people of the victorious country to accept.

Because ‘new territory’ also meant ‘new opportunity’.

“By the way, who came up with this idea?”

At the question, everyone in the room thought of one person.

‘If it’s now… it’s him.’

‘There’s no one but him.’

The person the Empire army officers had in mind was Hyang.

“If it were the older generation, there would have been many, including Grand Scholar Han Myeong-hoi [a prominent Joseon Dynasty scholar and politician], but now there is only him.”

“I agree.”

And this was partly true.

The correct answer was that Hyang and Wan refined Woo’s idea.

“Think about what is more important than whose idea it is.”

“What, persuading the Shah?”

“No, winning the war.”

At that, the other Empire army officers didn’t seem too concerned.

“It won’t be as easy as Japan thinks, but won’t we win?”

“I agree. Didn’t the home country say they would spare no support?”

‘If the Empire moves in earnest, it is invincible.’

This was the judgment and pride of the Empire army officers.

* * *

The Empire army officers who received the directives from the home country immediately took action.

The first targets were the Ming officers.

“The Iranian army is friendly with Japan, but the higher-ups are more friendly with us and Ming. So, we have to persuade Ming first.”

Based on this assessment, the Empire army officers met with the Ming officers and began the persuasion process. The Ming officers, after hearing the Empire’s proposal, gathered separately to discuss it.

“What do you think of the Empire’s proposal?”

“It seems quite reasonable. Considering the current situation, Iran has accepted Japan’s claims. Even if Iran wins by luck, creating a buffer zone like the Empire’s proposal is the best option.”

“It’s the best option, but… can we win?”

“Consider that this proposal came from the Empire army, who had only been worried until now.”

“Huh?”

“Wait…”

The Ming officers began to think again.

-The Empire army never moves without certainty.

-For the current proposal to be realistic, Iran’s victory must be guaranteed.

-Considering the previous two conditions, it is certain that the Empire will sincerely support Iran’s victory.

-If the Empire is determined to move…

‘It’s a nightmare for the opponent.’

The Ming officers who thought that far reached the same conclusion.

“The Empire has raised the stakes.”

“Then we have to follow suit.”

The Ming officers who reached an agreement took action.

They immediately wrote a report and sent it to Nanjing [the Ming capital] on the fastest ship, and worked with the Empire officers to persuade Ismail and the vizier. Ismail, after hearing the new proposals from Ming and the Empire, immediately summoned the vizier.

* * *

“What do you think of the opinions put forward by the Empire and Ming?”

“‘Creating a buffer zone between the Ottomans and us.’ …I don’t like it, but it is a very excellent proposal in terms of practicality.”

“That’s true, but for that to succeed, our Iran must win. But, what was the reason why the Empire and Ming opposed offensive warfare until now? Wasn’t it that offensive warfare is difficult to win?”

At Ismail’s point, the vizier replied.

“It is certain that the Empire and Ming are planning to ensure that victory.”