Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 1012

“In a way, they’ve become addicted to the ‘sweetness of capitalism.’”

It was Hyang’s self-deprecating assessment, but compared to the European powers, it could be seen as the most ‘sophisticated’ and ‘fair.’ This was the luck of the era. According to remaining records, the Korean Peninsula had active exchanges with the outside world since the Three Han period [a period in ancient Korea, roughly from the 1st century BCE to the 3rd century CE].

Although there were many problems just before the country’s downfall due to invasions by Japanese pirates and Red Turban rebels [Chinese peasant rebels who briefly threatened the Goryeo dynasty], Goryeo [Korean kingdom from 918 to 1392] was also a nation with active foreign trade. Therefore, the people of the early Joseon Dynasty [Korean kingdom from 1392 to 1897] had relatively less aversion to outsiders compared to the later period. Conversely, the late Joseon Dynasty, which suffered fatal blows from foreign powers during the Japanese invasions and the Manchu War, developed an extremely defensive atmosphere.

The entire country, as well as small villages, banded together to block the approach of external entities. In such a closed-off situation, they became content with living the same day as yesterday and tomorrow as today. Those who tried to reform this society and system, which had become hardened to the point of arteriosclerosis and turned into a vegetative state, and venture out, were treated as impurities and buried.

However, because it was not like that in the early Joseon Dynasty, it was easier for people and cultures from the outside, starting with the Jurchens [a Tungistic people who inhabited the region of Northeast Asia], to come in and live together. Another stroke of luck was the underdeveloped technology. In the 19th century, the peak of imperialism, the European powers were able to manage vast colonies because of their superior technology compared to the colonies, especially communication technology.

By leveraging their superiority in communication technologies, including the telegraph, the powers could efficiently respond to the reactionary movements of the colonial natives. However, even the Empire did not possess the communication technology of the 19th century. In this situation, domination by force in newly secured territories, especially in new lands, was impossible. With the Empire’s physical strength at the time, symbolized by a small population and still-growing capital, the option of military rule was an impossible choice.

With Hyang’s MSG [a metaphor for Hyang’s added influence or strategy] added to the above historical background, a ‘sophisticated and fair imperial style’ was created.

* * *

Whatever the background, ironclad ships had become like a ‘poisoned chalice’ to the European powers.

“It seems too much for our current capabilities….”

“But they say the others are building them? We have no choice.”

In a situation where ‘everyone except me is the enemy,’ giving up on building ironclad ships because it was too much would mean falling behind. No, it would be fortunate if it ended with just falling behind. It was clear that they would lose much, starting with territory, and fall into a miserable state.

“This is an excessive exaggeration! We have sufficient military power to protect our territory and people! It’s a waste!”

Regardless of the country, such rebuttals frequently arose, but the answers of those in power were the same, regardless of the country.

“Think of the colonial cities! In order for our country to grow into a strong power, we must protect our colonial cities and seize those of other countries! To do that, ironclad ships are essential!”

Thanks to the spicy pepper powder [another metaphor for Hyang’s influence] and preemptive occupation that Hyang had sown, the competition for invasion among the European powers became even more intense. This was because the remaining pie itself had shrunk. As a result, the European powers advanced in the form of ‘colonial cities’ rather than ‘colonies.’

As they took the form of colonial cities, the situation became even more dire. The places where colonial cities were established were bay areas where ships could be safely docked and fresh water could be obtained nearby. It was even better if it was close to mines developed in their home country.

The problem was that places with such good conditions were rare. As a result, in the case of fairly large bays, several countries would divide the area and build colonial cities. Naturally, disputes were bound to arise.

Africa, where several countries had already secured geographical information, was less severe. This was because it was easy to find suitable places other than those already occupied by other countries.

However, the situation was serious in Terra – Australia – where geographical information was lacking. This was because the possibility of finding a better bay beyond the bay they were currently sharing, though inwardly thinking they were being shared, was very low.

In the end, the leaders and citizens of the colonial cities looked at the colonial cities of other countries nearby and had the same thought.

“We need to drive those guys out, but how can we do it?”

What came out of that 고민 [Korean word for ‘worry’ or ‘concern’] was ‘advancing inland.’

If they found a place good for raising sheep or cattle, a place good for farming, or a gold or silver mine, more people would flock from their home country, which meant more troops.

It was the same for both us and them that it would take at least a year for support to come from the home country after an incident occurred. So, if they prepared thoroughly in advance and started something, they could take everything before the enemies’ support arrived.

“It would be the best situation if the home country’s fleet defeated the enemy’s fleet.”

“Of course, I should write a letter to the home country.”

The various requests sent from Terra were in line with the wishes of the powerful people in the home country. Thanks to this, the European powers sent their people even more diligently to the colonial cities of Terra.

And the situation in Terra was accelerating towards the tipping point. It wasn’t just Terra that was heading towards the tipping point. The situation in mainland Europe was also slowly accelerating. This was because of Gloria – South America – which the Empire had handed over to Portugal and Italy.

* * *

As Bartolomeu Dias, under the command of John II, built the first colonial city, ‘Gate of Opportunity (porta de oportunidade),’ on ‘Land of Glory (terra da gloria),’ also known as ‘Gloria,’ Portugal and Italy competitively began to target Gloria.

Initially, Portugal was far ahead. This was thanks to their extensive experience in ocean navigation and colonial city construction. However, Italy had capital. Using this capital, they ordered ships suitable for ocean navigation from the Imperial Shipyard in Prince Henry’s Port and hired experienced captains and sailors.

Italy, which bought time and experience with money, quickly caught up with Portugal. The competition was fierce, but the relationship between the two countries was amicable. This was because there was a link called the map that the Empire and the Empire had given them.

Although it was an incomplete map, they could obtain considerable information from it alone. Thanks to this, Portugal and Italy gradually targeted Gloria while avoiding unnecessary conflicts. However, as other powers intervened here, the situation in Gloria also became complicated.

* * *

The methods by which powers other than Portugal and Italy entered Gloria were two: ‘following’ and ‘robbery.’ Through the first method, following, the European powers learned the route to the ‘Gate of Opportunity.’

Having secured route information, the European powers attempted to build bridgeheads. However, Gloria was a more difficult place than Terra. This was because of the jungle. There were more than a few cases where they built bridgeheads only looking at the lush jungle and failed because they could not find a water source. In the end, the powers chose the second method, ‘robbery.’

The routes of ships going to and from Portugal and Italy in Gloria were roughly as follows:

Eastern Gloria > South Shinji Islands Distillery > Azores Islands > Portugal or mainland Italy.

Western Gloria > Terra > Suez.

Western Gloria > Terra > Africa > Portugal or mainland Italy.

The place where the European powers mainly ambushed was the path from eastern Gloria to the distillery. The powers also knew well of the existence of the Imperial Navy. Therefore, the ships of the powers in charge of the mission disguised themselves as merchant ships going to and from the distillery and waited for the opportunity.

It was a gamble-like mission where, if they engaged in naval battles against Portuguese or Italian ships and were caught by the Imperial Navy, they had to be prepared to be sunk. However, if they succeeded, it was a job with a huge prize that would allow them to live and eat for the rest of their lives.

“Even if it’s just one map, it’s a worthwhile gamble if a ‘complete map’ comes into our hands!”

Thanks to this, the sea between the South Shinji Islands and northeastern Gloria became the tomb of those who dreamed of a fortune. Then, some people tried ‘robbery’ in a different direction. They approached captains or sailors hired by Italy and offered a considerable amount of money, trying to win them over.

“It’s good if you just bring the map, but it’s even better if you bring the ship. Ah! It would be very good if it was loaded with cargo!”

No matter how you looked at it, it was not a fair method, but after such challenges, the powers were able to obtain the sea chart of Gloria. And this situation further emphasized the need for ironclad ships and the presence of the Empire.

This was thanks to the fact that many of the Imperial Navy warships patrolling the South Shinji Islands were replaced by steamships that looked like ironclad ships. Looking at the powerful Imperial Navy ships with their powerful firepower, defense, and mobility, the sailors of the powers all muttered the same words, regardless of their country.

“If only we had ships like that….”

* * *

This was how the worst vicious cycle, where internal and external situations were intertwined, began.

-To build ironclad ships, a large amount of steel is needed.

-To supply a large amount of steel, a large steel mill is needed.

-To build a large steel mill, a lot of capital is needed.

-To secure capital, economic power must be supported.

-We need to grow our economic power quickly now.

-To grow our economic power quickly, we need more colonial cities.

-To secure more colonial cities, we need a stronger naval power.

-For a stronger naval power, we need ironclad ships….

(Omitted below, infinite loop)

“This is difficult….”

“I feel like Sisyphus from ancient Greek and Roman mythology [a figure condemned to endlessly roll a boulder uphill, only to have it roll back down each time].”

The officials of the powers, who were in a situation like dogs chasing each other’s tails to bite them, racked their brains to find a good solution.

“Let’s organize the situation first; we can’t give up on ironclad ships. That’s for sure, right?”

“If I say let’s give up, my head will fall off my body the next day, right?”

“Then the ironclad ships will go as they are, and the problem is securing the financial resources for this.”

“That’s right….”

While the officials of the powers were 고민 [Korean word for ‘worry’ or ‘concern’] to find a solution, the officials of Italy found the answer. Ironically, it was because of a petition filed by an imperial merchant.

-According to the treaty concluded in the last war, no additional tariffs or tolls should be levied within Italy. However, this has not yet been implemented, and imperial merchants are suffering a lot of damage. Isn’t this making a mockery of His Majesty the Emperor and the Empire?

The embassy, after confirming the petition, officially protested against this. In the end, in the process of solving this problem, the officials of Italy found the answer.