Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 1014

1014. The Name of Kindling is the Arms Race (7)

Hyang’s concern about a potential war in Europe wasn’t solely due to alliance issues. A greater concern was the Empire becoming a direct target.

While European powers were engaged in a fierce arms race, the Empire was reaping benefits, a windfall if you will. Exporting new ships to Portugal and Italy, and exporting iron horses [early trains] to Italy and Switzerland, are symbolic examples of this.

* * *

Looking at the European landscape during this period, the West, including England, France, and the Habsburg-controlled Holy Roman Empire, was relatively technologically advanced, with the North following behind. Finally, the Eastern region, with the exception of Hungary, remained largely an agricultural nation. In this situation, Portugal, Italy, and Switzerland had many inherent problems.

In the case of Switzerland, its most prominent exports were limestone and rock salt, indicating a scarcity of resources. Building factories was nearly impossible due to the rugged natural environment. Italy faced a similar situation. Although it had prominent commercial and industrial cities like Florence and Venice, and significant capital, the foundation for large-scale growth was only laid after unification. The only advantage was the iron mine on Elba Island, boasting a history dating back to Roman times.

Portugal, along with Spain, was among the first to venture into maritime trade—beyond the Mediterranean—and its experience and colonies were its strengths. In particular, it was making significant profits from sugar produced in the Madeira Islands off the coast of Africa. However, heavy industry, symbolized by the steam engine, was just beginning.

Although Portugal started researching and investing in steam engines around the same time as other major powers, its small territory and population held it back. Especially problematic were Spain and France, which were several times larger. As a result, Portugal focused its capabilities on trade rather than fostering heavy industry. However, as leading groups like England and France actively pursued industrial restructuring, including steam engines, and engaged in an arms race, Portugal’s concerns deepened.

Ultimately, these three countries had no choice but to rely on the Empire once again.

* * *

The first country to lean on the Empire was Portugal. The large-scale steel mill built by King João II and his ministers, using state funds, had just begun operations. The situation with the shipyards was similar. There were many shipyards building merchant ships traveling between Gloria and the African colonies, but none capable of building large ironclad ships. More precisely, they already had too many pre-booked orders.

“Waiting would solve the problem, but there isn’t enough time.”

After much deliberation, the Portuguese government formally requested the Empire to build ironclad ships.

– Must be equipped with at least 40 Imperial-made cannons currently used by the Portuguese Navy.

– Must adopt steam engines.

– Must be capable of a one-way voyage from the Azores to the Nanshin Islands without resupply.

The Imperial military, upon receiving the request, immediately reported it to Hyeon.

“This is exactly what I wanted!”

Hyeon, upon seeing the contents of the request, opened a drawer with a gleam in his eyes. He smiled as he ran his fingers over the blueprints, rolled up and stacked in the drawer.

“Which one should I choose?”

However, Hyeon couldn’t release his own blueprints.

“Absolutely not!”

The ministers all rose up in opposition to Hyeon’s plan. Han Myeong-hoe stepped forward to explain the reason on behalf of the ministers.

– The blueprints designed by His Majesty incorporate the Empire’s most advanced technologies. There is a risk of technology leakage.

– The warships designed by His Majesty are very ambitious. Although their performance is excellent, there may be undiscovered flaws. If Portugal were to take over and operate them, and discover a critical flaw, it would become a diplomatic issue.

‘They call them ambitious, but they’re gambling ships! If something goes wrong, we’ll take the blame! No, before that, we’ll die trying to fix it! There are artisans who want to move to private shipyards these days, and how much time and money did we spend raising those artisans! It’s really going to be a disaster!’

Han Myeong-hoe suppressed the words that were about to burst out and retorted as gently as possible.

“…Therefore, it is best to deliver ships made to the level they desire!”

“That is correct!”

“Please grant our request!”

“Please reconsider!”

Even the word ‘reconsider,’ which hadn’t been used before, came out, and Hyeon had no choice but to back down.

“…I understand. Then, order the shipyards in Wonsan and Shinji to draw up blueprints that suit their needs.”

“We obey your command!”

“Tch…..”

After finishing work that day, Hyeon visited Hyang to complain.

“It was a good opportunity, but it’s a shame.”

“The ministers’ words are reasonable, so there’s nothing you can do, is there?”

“It was a masterpiece design I drew while squeezing out time…”

“That’s how the position of Emperor is.”

Hyeon continued to grumble to Hyang for a long time before bowing and leaving Sugang Palace. Hyeon, looking at the scenery outside the carriage window, clicked his tongue and muttered.

“Tch. I feel it every time, but that’s why the Emperor Emeritus and the Retired Emperor abdicated without regret. Let’s see, the first son of Woo-ya is currently…”

Suddenly, Hyeon was counting on his fingers, calculating when he would abdicate.

* * *

Against this backdrop, four blueprints were submitted from the shipyards in Wonsan and Shinji. Because it was his field of interest, Hyeon immediately brought the blueprints and unfolded them. However, Hyeon frowned as he examined the blueprints.

“This is a bit…”

Hyeon, frowning, looked back at the officials who were very nervous and asked.

“Attaching both a steam engine and sails, isn’t this too old-fashioned?”

Jang Hang-seon stepped forward to answer Hyeon’s criticism.

“As Your Majesty commanded, we tailored it to what they wanted.”

“Still, attaching both a steam engine and sails is a bit much, isn’t it?”

“It is said that attaching both a steam engine and sails is the trend in Europe these days.”

“Still…”

As Hyeon continued to grumble, Im Soon-wook stepped forward.

“The competition in Europe is fierce right now. If we sell warships that only run on steam engines in this situation, it would be like fanning the flames. And shouldn’t we sell it one more time if possible?”

“Sell it one more time?”

“The barbarians know that using both sails and steam engines is not the best option. If so, they will eventually remove the sails, and then we can sell it again, can’t we?”

“…Send the blueprints to Portugal and have them choose what they like.”

“We obey your command.”

* * *

When the blueprints sent by the Empire arrived, the royal palace in Lisbon became noisy. Experts from the Portuguese Navy, the command, and shipyard experts gathered to examine the blueprints sent by the Empire.

“Which of the four designs is the best?”

Admiral Ricardo, the commander-in-chief of the Portuguese Navy, who was looking at the blueprints at King João II’s question, answered cautiously.

“If you ask me to speak my honest mind, I would like to adopt them all.”

“Is it that good?”

“Yes, it is. According to these blueprints, it will be the strongest warship in Europe.”

The prime minister, who was present at Admiral Ricardo’s answer, asked.

“What if we were to fight the Empire?”

At the prime minister’s question, Admiral Ricardo made a dumbfounded expression and asked back.

“If the prime minister were the Empire, would you sell teeth that could bite yourself?”

“But isn’t there always a ‘what if’?”

“…If we were to fight the Empire, a draw would be the best outcome.”

“I see. I understand.”

After hearing Admiral Ricardo’s answer, the prime minister asked the shipbuilding experts this time.

“Can we build these warships in our shipyard?”

The experts immediately answered the prime minister’s question.

“It’s impossible.”

“What is the reason?”

“There are many reasons.”

“…I see.”

The prime minister nodded with a troubled face and stepped back. As if there had been prior coordination, as soon as the prime minister stepped back, King João II ordered Admiral Ricardo.

“It is impossible to adopt all the designs. Therefore, select the one you think is the best and submit it.”

“We obey your command.”

As Admiral Ricardo and the experts disappeared, King João II spoke with the prime minister.

“I gave the prime minister a chance, but I will ask again. Even now, there are many other enemy countries, so do we have to assume the Empire as an enemy country?”

At King João II’s question, the prime minister answered with an unavoidable expression.

“It can’t be helped. The Empire has too much, and we need to have more. No, it’s not just Portugal. Major powers such as France, Spain, and England are aiming for the Empire. If we cannot covet the Empire, those guys will aim for our Portugal. We must have the power to bite the Empire to protect our country.”

“In that case, wouldn’t it be better to further strengthen the alliance with the Empire?”

“Even in that case, we still have to buy time while holding out until the Empire arrives. In the end, we must have not only powerful warships, but also the ability to build powerful warships ourselves.”

* * *

In this way, the warships built according to the design chosen by Portugal began to be delivered to Portugal. As larger, faster, sturdier, and more powerful sailing warships than the sailing ships that other major powers had begun to build and deploy appeared under the Portuguese flag, the navies of the major powers all cursed.

“Those damn Empire bastards!”

“Our ships have become coffins as soon as they came out!”

And hell unfolded for the ship designers of the major powers.

“Design ships that are more powerful than the Portuguese ships right now!”

“Yes? Do you think that’s possible?”

“Do it if I tell you to!”

“Yes…”

The designers who were burdened with the homework muttered similar words, regardless of nationality.

“Should I quit this job?”

* * *

While the navies of the European powers were in an uproar due to the bomb thrown by Portugal, Italy and Switzerland were also moving quickly. As a country with merchants such as the Medici family [a powerful banking family from Florence], Italy quickly judged its strengths and weaknesses and moved.

What they chose was ‘economies of scale’. As soon as Italy confirmed that the performance of the warships ordered from the Empire by Portugal was very excellent, Italy sent envoys to Portugal and the Empire.

“We will also buy the warships you sell to Portugal! But please lower the price a bit!”

“Huh?”

“The more you make of steel armor plates or other equipment and parts, the lower the production cost per unit, right? If not only Portugal but also Italy buys them together, the quantity will be considerable, so you can definitely lower the price, right?”

“…Tell Im Soon-wook to come!”

Im Soon-wook, the Minister of Finance, and working-level officials flocked to the scene, and fierce negotiations took place. However, Italy was also a formidable opponent, and in the end, both sides were able to reach an agreement at a reasonable level. The next area where Italy played its card was the railroad.

First, Italy sent an envoy to Switzerland.

“You need railroads too, right? Let’s work together! We can save money!”

“…Shall we?”

Italy, which joined hands with Switzerland in this way, headed to the Empire again.

“We will jointly introduce iron horses to operate in Switzerland and Italy! So, give us a discount! Oh, and we want to make not only the tracks laid for the current railroad construction, but also the tracks that will be used for future maintenance!”

“Only within Italy…”

“No, we’ll make even the Swiss ones! Think about the cost of shipping from the Empire! Do you think that poor Switzerland will manage it properly?”

“…Tell Im Soon-wook to come!”