Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 1011

1011. The Name of Kindling is the Arms Race (4)

Although a considerable amount of time had passed since the introduction of the steam engine, the European powers had yet to fully embrace industrialization. This was largely due to the constraints of the historical context.

With the exception of the Italian city-states and the commercial entities of the Middle East, significant commercial organizations were scarce. The Hanseatic League in Northern Europe existed, but their primary trade focused on salt, beer, and textiles. Industries requiring substantial production facilities, like steel, remained largely underdeveloped.

Even these commercial entities were limited in scale. While powerful financial families like the Medici of Florence exerted influence across Europe, most resembled federations of small merchants—guilds—reorganized into larger associations.

In essence, they lacked the capacity for large-scale capital investment needed to create massive industrial facilities. Capital wasn’t the only issue. As mentioned, these were essentially federations of small merchants. Decision-making was complex, often shifting based on the individual interests of members. Their primary point of unity was supporting the establishment of centralized governments under a king.

A centralized system offered them more advantages than the traditional aristocracy-centered feudal system. The commercial forces’ limitations were one factor, but the European powers themselves were also weakened. England and France still struggled with the aftermath of the Hundred Years’ War. Spain and Portugal faced similar challenges from the Reconquista [the historical period of Iberian Peninsula reconquest by Christians]—or Hecconquista in Portugal.

The aftereffects of war weren’t the only problem. Agriculture remained the core of the economies of France, Spain, and Portugal. While Spain and Portugal profited from the slave trade, using enslaved people from Africa, agriculture remained the dominant sector.

Specifically, plantation operations in colonies in Africa and the North Atlantic, relying on large numbers of enslaved laborers, were the primary focus. England and Italy possessed the basic capabilities for continuous commercial and industrial development, but they too faced limitations.

Italy had significant capitalists beyond the Medici, but their influence rarely extended beyond their city-state boundaries. This wasn’t just geographical; it was a limitation of perspective. They meticulously traded throughout the Mediterranean, generating substantial profits, but their broader vision didn’t extend beyond their home cities.

Even Cosimo de Medici, known for his exceptional insight, couldn’t escape the interests of Florence and his family, despite being the first to accurately understand the inner workings of the Empire. It wasn’t until the unification of Italy that they could broaden their perspective, but the aftermath of the unification war then held them back.

In England, commercial forces grew thanks to protectionist trade policies implemented since the reign of Edward III. However, England faced a significant hurdle.

The problem was ‘too small a market.’

At the time, England wasn’t yet united with Scotland and Ireland, resulting in a market too small and weak for proper growth. To overcome these obstacles and become powerful, wealthy nations, the European powers needed to expand outwards. However, Hyang had blocked this path, largely intentionally.

* * *

Sejong and Hyang’s preemptive occupation of Shinji was a major setback for Europe, resulting in the loss of a vast territory rich in resources. The Empire compensated by handing over Terra (Australia) and Gloria (South America), but much of these regions consisted of barren lands—deserts and jungles.

The area suitable for habitation was small relative to the overall size. Developing these barren lands was possible, but it required significant time and resources, which the powers lacked. Furthermore, numerous countries were vying for control.

Terra was already crowded with European powers establishing colonies and watching each other warily. In Gloria, England and France secretly followed Portuguese and Italian ships, preparing to plant their own flags.

* * *

Hyang also disrupted affairs in India and Southeast Asia. Starting with the saltpeter trade during Sejong’s reign, the Bengal Sultanate and various Indian princely states were armed with guns and cannons comparable to European armies.

This wasn’t limited to India. Sultanates throughout Southeast Asia, including Luzon and Malaya, were similarly equipped, thanks to Ming and Japan’s active arms trade.

Furthermore, countries like Dai Viet (Vietnam) and Siam (Thailand) were attempting to produce their own weapons. Consequently, the European powers couldn’t simply force their way in. They found themselves in a difficult position, and their attention naturally turned to the Empire and the Ottomans.

However, both the Empire and the Ottomans were formidable adversaries.

* * *

The Ottomans were the dominant power in the southern Mediterranean. They had seized almost all of the Mamluk dynasty’s territory, their former rival, and were expanding into the Arabian Peninsula and Persia. Ironically, the Empire significantly influenced Ottoman expansion.

Following the agreement made during the construction of the Suez Railroad, the Ottomans halted their northward advance at Constantinople. Instead, having extensively reorganized their army, they focused on North Africa, the Arabian Peninsula, and Persia.

The Suez Canal enabled this bold expansion. France and Florence supported the Ottoman invasion of the Mamluks to ensure the canal’s safe management. This support ended with the Italian unification war, but it was enough for the Ottomans.

After consolidating North Africa, the Ottomans expanded into the Arabian Peninsula and Persia, securing the trade route to the Empire and increasing their exchanges. They imported weapons and sent students to learn the Empire’s knowledge and technology, becoming a Middle Eastern powerhouse. European military leaders, analyzing the situation, were discouraged.

“It’s difficult to do alone.”

“Then, a coalition?”

“With what justification?”

During the Suez treaty, the Ottomans designated Jerusalem as a semi-independent city with the following conditions:

-Pay taxes regularly.

-Do not impose your religion on others.

-Anyone meeting these conditions is welcome to live in Jerusalem.

-Pilgrims can enter Jerusalem by paying a toll.

This allowed European Christians to visit Jerusalem without difficulty. Driven by profit, France, Florence, Portugal, and the Ottomans, at the Empire’s suggestion, jointly built a railroad from Prince Henry Port to Jerusalem.

This also led to the creation of popular resorts along the scenic coastline. However, these resorts were filled with entertainment and decadence, earning them condemnation from pious Christian and Islamic clergymen as ‘the return of Sodom and Gomorrah.’

Thus, Jerusalem, once a potential justification for intervention, became useless.

“Even if we force the issue…”

“France, Portugal, and Italy will never participate. They might even become enemies.”

“We can’t forget Suez. As long as Suez remains operational, they won’t join us.”

“Then, only the Empire remains?”

“Does it always come back to the Empire?”

Those who considered the Empire their enemy shook their heads.

“There’s no need to calculate. Defeat is certain.”

“Impossible for now.”

“When time passes…”

They underestimated the Empire’s true strength.

* * *

At this time, Ming and the Empire were the only countries that had achieved ‘economies of scale’ [cost advantages due to increased production]. Ming, with its vast territory and large population in the Central Plains, had already established this. Despite two defeats and a civil war, it had regained its position as a powerful nation in Northeast Asia.

The Empire achieved ‘economies of scale’ by acquiring Bukji [Northern Territory] and Shinji [New Territory]. Railroads and the steel industry were prime examples. After acquiring Bukji, the Empire aggressively built railroads. The vast plains of Bukji were ideal for this.

Railroads crisscrossed Bukji from east to west and north to south, and a project to connect the Northeast forest area and Lake Baikal was underway, driving up demand for rails.

Beyond rails, demand surged for locomotives, passenger cars, and freight cars. To meet this, the Imperial Court expanded existing steel mills and built new ones. Super-large steel mills were established in the Empire’s mainland and Bukji, producing steel in large quantities.

Increased production lowered steel prices, making steel products cheaper. The same occurred in Shinji. Initially, materials for Shinji’s railroads were transported from the mainland, which proved inefficient. Ministry of Finance officials conceded to Hyang.

“I opposed it due to the cost, but now I have no choice.”

“Considering shipping and construction costs…”

Ultimately, this was a major reason for creating District 52 [a special economic zone]. The steel mill built there more than paid for itself. Later, Jin-pyeong, who accompanied Hyang to Shinji when possible, was astonished.

The District 52 steel mill became the Empire’s largest. Its production volume alone exceeded the combined output of all steel mills in the Empire’s mainland and Bukji by about 30%. Achieving economies of scale allowed the Empire to undertake the construction of large ironclad ships.

The steel armor plates, a major challenge for European powers, were a prime example. The Empire produced the widest steel plates globally, along with keels and ribs. The impact of the District 52 steel mill in Shinji extended beyond this.

Monopoly Office, Imperial Army, District 52 Steel Mill.

These became the primary tools for rapidly integrating the natives of Shinji, particularly those in the northeastern region.