Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 1027

1027. Alsace-Lorraine (5)

However, the matter wasn’t immediately resolved. Even the nobles of the time, observing the ongoing situation, quipped:

“They’ve only agreed to agree.”

The reason France and Habsburg were back at loggerheads was due to the issue of reparations. Both Habsburg and France insisted on their legitimacy and status as victors, each demanding compensation from the other.

-France invaded the territories of the Habsburg Empire, and we repelled them! We are the victors!

-The Lorraine region historically belongs to us. We have merely tolerated the situation for the sake of peace! We only aided those who appealed for help from Habsburg oppression! And the French army triumphed over the oppressors! This is a just cause!

As their positions remained irreconcilable, the nobles once again intervened. Eventually, France and Habsburg reached a compromise.

-France acknowledges that the Lorraine region is part of the Holy Roman Empire.

-Habsburg cedes three bishoprics [Metz, Toul, and Verdun] to France. However, it is clearly stated that this is not in the form of reparations.

-Neither country will claim further reparations beyond this agreement.

-France will cease support for the lords of Lorraine. Furthermore, it will not interfere in the decisions of the Holy Roman Emperor regarding the region.

With this agreement, France secured a foothold in the Lorraine region.

As they became part of French territory, Metz was renamed Mess, Virten became Verdun, and Toul became Toul. On the day these three bishoprics officially became French, a grand banquet was held in Paris.

“This is just the beginning. We can gradually expand our influence from here.”

“I have faith in you all.”

Unlike the celebratory atmosphere in Paris, a cold air permeated the Habsburg palace.

“Do not forget today’s humiliation. Prepare to avenge it with all your might.”

“As you command!”

* * *

Amidst these starkly contrasting atmospheres, both France and Habsburg moved forward with renewed purpose.

“No matter what anyone says, we are the victors!”

In France, even if they couldn’t openly declare it, such sentiments were widely shared. Despite the fact that the actual combat lasted less than a week and resulted in thousands of casualties, they had achieved a result that allowed them to confidently proclaim victory.

In particular, the outcome stood in stark contrast to the crushing defeat they had suffered in Italy, leading to an even stronger sense of national pride. As a result, loyalty to the king and the people’s trust in the government were higher than ever before. This high level of support and trust emboldened the French government.

However, the Chancellor, unlike his usual relaxed demeanor, was visibly tense as he strongly cautioned Charles VIII and Louis:

“If we become complacent now, we will be pushed back again!”

“Is that so?”

“In just under a week, there were thousands of casualties! We must not take this number lightly!”

The Chancellor’s face was more serious than ever.

“This level of loss is the first since our defeat by the Empire in Italy! In other words, the firepower of the surrounding countries’ armies has become as powerful as the Imperial army in Italy! This is not a situation for complacency at all!”

At the Chancellor’s warning, the faces of Charles VIII and Louis also turned serious.

“Indeed. Let us carefully examine the lessons learned from this battle.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Following Charles VIII’s command, the military not only reviewed the reports submitted by the commanders who participated in the battle but also conducted thorough interviews. A recurring theme that emerged was the effectiveness of the light-wheeled cannon.

* * *

One of the things that troubled the French army in the Italian campaign was the light-wheeled cannon, but surprisingly, the French army initially dismissed it.

-It’s a bit too heavy for a single soldier to easily carry around.

-The ability to overwhelm the enemy by firing a large number of rounds in a short period of time is good. However, the rate of fire is slow compared to the Hwacha [Korean rocket artillery], and its overall convenience, including weight, is much lower than the hand cannon.

-Conclusion: More harm than good. It seems to be a misjudgment by the Empire.

Based on this assessment, France lost interest in the light-wheeled cannon. Of course, this wasn’t the whole story. France’s economic and technological capabilities also had limitations. However, the limitations of hand cannons and Hwachas were revealed again in this Metz battle.

-The firepower and rate of fire of the Hwacha are outstanding, but it is heavy. It is definitely limited in situations where you have to keep moving, such as in urban warfare.

-Hand cannons are easy to carry and have a good rate of fire, but there are limitations in accuracy and power.

Even if the distance from the enemy was slightly increased, the accuracy and power dropped significantly. Also, if the cover the enemy was hiding behind was even slightly solid, it was often useless. Of course, if the place where the enemy was hiding was a solid stone building, the bullets from long rifles or Hwachas were also ineffective. However, in the case of hand cannons, there were often cases where they could not penetrate even thick wooden doors.

And Northern Europe, where winters are cold, had thick wooden doors on every house. In the end, the French military decided to adopt the light-wheeled cannon.

“It wasn’t a mistake by those Empire bastards after all. This leaves a bitter taste…”

Here, France’s economic and technological capabilities, which I mentioned earlier, once again presented a challenge. It was due to the magazines. To make a proper magazine, thin but strong steel and high-quality springs were needed. Even if the unit price was lowered through mass production, there were limitations to the availability of these materials. In addition, a subtle level of precision engineering was also required. Magazines were prone to defects if they did not go through proper processing and assembly.

Therefore, French soldiers using light-wheeled cannons were initially given a maximum of five magazines each, and empty magazines were to be collected without exception. Of course, in actual combat, ‘that rarely happened.’

In actual combat, the French soldiers using light-wheeled cannons brought as many magazines as possible into battle. Empty magazines were put in a separate pouch, but if the situation didn’t allow it, they were often discarded haphazardly. The problem was that it was difficult to hold them accountable for this. Most of those carrying light-wheeled cannons were officers.

Not only were they officers, but they also concealed and manipulated information when writing reports. In the end, French engineers had no choice but to curse at the Empire.

“They just throw these away? Crazy bastards…”

Contrary to their words, the Imperial Army also recovered as many magazines as possible. However, there were no strict restrictions on their use.

-It must be able to safely store larger and heavier bullets and reliably feed them into the weapon.

Seeing the more demanding conditions compared to hand cannons, the French engineers had to change their approach.

“Whatever the method, we just need to reliably feed long rifle bullets, right?”

“That’s right…”

In the end, what they came up with was ‘Bandes portatives’ [portable bands or strips].

This involved using a brass ‘Bandes portatives’ with 30 bullets firmly attached to the feeding unit. In subsequent performance tests, it showed decent performance, and the French Army and Navy officially adopted it. Over time, Hyon heard information about the light-wheeled cannons adopted by the French army through various channels and had a strange expression.

“This is basically a stapler… Is France still France?”

* * *

While France was making these adjustments, Habsburg was also fiercely analyzing the lessons learned from the war and seeking solutions.

-Cannons are the definitive answer! We need more bigger and more powerful cannons!

-No, even if they are small, cannons are still cannons! We need many small but versatile cannons!

-Conclusion: More cannons!

Based on this conclusion, cannons of various calibers and powers began to be mass-produced, and spies were dispatched in all directions to acquire better cannon manufacturing technology. As more and more of these spies infiltrated the Empire, the secret guards once again engaged in bloody battles. However, Habsburg wasn’t solely focused on cannons. While cannons represented the traditional approach, there were also innovative developments.

“It is difficult to counter the French Hwachas with our existing Hwachas. We also need such advanced Hwachas.”

The Habsburg army, which had suffered heavy losses from the Hwachas in the street fighting in Metz, meticulously disassembled the French-made Hwachas captured in Metz and began designing their own improved versions. This marked the beginning of Habsburg’s shift in strategy, with Count Tilly playing a central role.

“After experiencing this battle…”

Count Tilly, after analyzing the lessons learned from the Battle of Metz, reached the following conclusions:

-Firepower is crucial in urban warfare.

-Cannons are the most effective for breaching enemy strongholds.

-However, it is difficult and dangerous to maneuver cannons in urban environments.

-There must be cannons that are sufficiently armored and can move independently.

-The same applies to soldiers. We need something that can secure the main streets of the city, even if it’s impossible to navigate narrow alleys, and can safely transport a large number of soldiers.

“Can you create such devices?”

The engineers who heard Count Tilly’s question exchanged glances and cautiously replied to the Count.

“Such a thing already exists.”

“Oh! Really!”

“The assault vehicle developed in the Empire is precisely that.”

Count Tilly expressed skepticism at the engineers’ response.

“Assault vehicle? As far as I know, those were designed to break through trench lines? And they were primarily used in that capacity.”

“It is said that they were also used very effectively in urban warfare.”

“Is that so? Then, can you build them?”

The engineers, in response to Count Tilly’s question, answered with a composed expression.

“We are currently researching it. But, to be honest, it would be best to purchase them directly from Seoul.”

“Oh…”

Maximilian I, who received this report through Count Tilly, put his hand on his forehead and lamented.

“It’s the Empire again! Why is that country so perfect! Why!”

After lamenting for a while, Maximilian I reached a conclusion with a resigned expression.

“I have no choice. Send an envoy to Seoul.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

* * *

Hyon, upon learning of Maximilian I’s intentions through the envoy who arrived in Seoul, consulted with his ministers.

“What are your thoughts?”

“Now that both the Byeonghyeong [Military Model] and Jeonghyeong [Police Model] assault vehicles have begun mass production, I believe it is acceptable to sell them.”

“I think it would be beneficial because the sales revenue can be used to offset the budget for the production of new assault vehicles.”

After a series of positive responses, Shin Suk-ju added:

“The problem is Italy. In particular, Venice harbors a deep-seated grudge against Habsburg. It is necessary to appease them appropriately.”

“How do we appease them?”

“By selling them assault vehicles as well. Of course, if we demand the same price as Habsburg, there will undoubtedly be complaints. Therefore, if we offer a slightly reduced price, we can demonstrate our impartiality and gain their favor.”

Hyon looked at Han Myung-hoi in response to Shin Suk-ju’s suggestion. Hyon nodded, noting that Han Myung-hoi did not express any particular opposition.

‘It seems they have already reached an agreement. Not a bad idea.’

“Good. Inform the Habsburg envoy accordingly. And subtly leak the news to Italy.”

“As you command!”