Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 1032

1032. Alsace-Lorraine. (10)

As the Teutonic Order resumed their armed struggle, Poland-Lithuania mobilized its forces to suppress them. In a battle near Gdansk, the Teutonic Order, armed with French weaponry, struck a significant blow against the Polish-Lithuanian forces, managing to recapture Gdansk. Shocked by the fall of Gdansk, Poland-Lithuania thoroughly analyzed the reasons for their defeat.

The cause of the defeat, as analyzed by the Polish-Lithuanian military, was simple:

– Inferior firepower.

While Poland-Lithuania had the advantage in troop numbers, the Teutonic Order possessed superior firepower. This was, in a way, inevitable.

The main force of the Polish-Lithuanian army was the cavalry known as ‘Husaria’ [heavily armored Polish cavalry known for their distinctive winged armor]. Of course, there were also sizable infantry and artillery units, but the problem was their weaponry. They were still armed with flintlock muskets and old-fashioned cannons. On the other hand, the Teutonic Order was equipped with breech-loading single-shot rifles, ‘mitrailleuse’ [an early type of machine gun] copied from French designs, and outdated cannons retired from the French army. As an aside, Hyang had a perplexed expression and chuckled upon hearing about the mitrailleuse.

“The mitrailleuse I know doesn’t look like that… At least Gatling won’t be the only one getting criticized.”

Although they were overwhelmed by firepower, it wasn’t as if Poland-Lithuania’s armaments were weak. At this time, Poland-Lithuania was a formidable power in the region. In particular, the Grand Duchy of Moscow had already suffered greatly at the hands of Poland-Lithuania.

It was just that the military system in this region was far behind Western Europe. However, it wasn’t as if they were completely oblivious to the trends in Western Europe. Cavalry was more useful for dealing with the Khanates that had splintered off from the Mongol Empire. And the new weapons from France and the Holy Roman Empire were as expensive as they were excellent.

* * *

After analyzing the cause of their defeat, Poland-Lithuania had no choice but to establish countermeasures immediately. They needed to retake Gdansk as soon as possible.

“We must also arm ourselves with new rifles and cannons,” Sigismund I declared.

Sigismund I’s decision was met with worried expressions from his vassals.

“That is true, but the problem is our finances.”

“As Your Majesty knows, the prices of new weapons are not cheap.”

“Can we just sit idly by? If we do nothing, it won’t end with Gdansk. Soon, the Grand Duchy of Moscow will also make a move.”

In the end, due to Sigismund I’s strong will and the need to survive in the rapidly changing situation, Poland-Lithuania began to import new weapons. However, even with Sigismund I’s active support and deep pockets, importing new weapons was not easy.

“Where do we get them? No, where *can* we get them?”

This was the problem. The first place to be excluded was France.

“We cannot buy weapons from a country that sells weapons to the rebels of the Teutonic Order!”

“That’s right!”

The working-level officials, having excluded France first, turned to the Holy Roman Empire. However, the Holy Roman Empire’s response was not very enthusiastic.

“Hmm… You want the weapons currently being deployed to our imperial army? Considering the relationship between our two countries, a sale is possible.”

“Really? Thank you so much!”

“However, selling them immediately is impossible. We are barely able to supply our own imperial army.”

“Then when…”

“At the earliest, it would have to be five years from now.”

“Five years…”

Seeing the troubled Polish-Lithuanian officials, an official from the Holy Roman Empire suggested another option.

“We can hand over weapons that are being retired from the imperial army immediately.”

“We would like to see the performance first.”

The Polish-Lithuanian officials watched a demonstration by the Holy Roman Empire’s army and compiled a report to submit to Sigismund I. After reviewing the report, Sigismund I and his vassals shook their heads simultaneously.

“It is not the best option.”

“That’s right. With the weapons the Holy Roman Empire showed us, retaking Gdansk will not be easy. We need more powerful weapons.”

There were a few dissenting voices arguing for the introduction of retired weapons due to ‘time and finances,’ but they were not the majority.

In the end, Sigismund I made a decision.

“We will reconsider the Holy Roman Empire’s proposal if it becomes the worst-case scenario, and look for other alternatives.”

Following Sigismund I’s decision, the working-level officials next visited Italy. The Polish-Lithuanian officials were very satisfied after seeing the demonstrations of the Italian army’s ‘Florentine rifles’ and ‘mobile artillery’ and entered into negotiations. However, here too, time became a stumbling block in the negotiations.

“Considering the factory’s current production capacity, we can only start supplying them three years from now.”

“Three years…”

‘Still better than five years.’

The Polish-Lithuanian negotiating team, having made a somewhat positive assessment, continued with their questions.

“Assuming we receive them in three years, how long will it take to fully supply the quantity we want?”

“Even with our best efforts, it will take more than seven years.”

“So, even if we sign a contract now, it will take ten years. Is there no way to speed it up?”

“As I said before, this is the best we can do considering the factory’s production capacity.”

“What if we expand the factory?”

“Impossible.”

The Italian official answered firmly that it was impossible. This was an unavoidable reality. Weapons, especially those used only by one’s own army, had a limited market and low profits. It wasn’t something that just anyone could make either. Even the Florentine rifle, which Hyang described as having a ‘simple structure,’ could only show its true performance when skilled craftsmen worked on it. And ‘skilled craftsmen = high wages.’

No matter how important national defense was, they couldn’t recklessly hire craftsmen and incur losses. Therefore, it was common to spend time instead of money, unless it was a situation like war.

“And, we can sell you rifles and mobile artillery, but not cannons. We also buy cannons from the Empire.”

“What should we do…”

The Polish-Lithuanian officials, having not received a good answer from Italy either, moved to find other countries. There were only five countries that produced weapons at the level Poland-Lithuania wanted.

France, the Holy Roman Empire, England, Italy, and the Ottoman Empire.

However, France was excluded because of the Teutonic Order, the Ottoman Empire was excluded due to religion and other complex issues, and the Holy Roman Empire and Italy were excluded due to time issues. All that was left was England, but the situation there was not good either.

They were already struggling to produce enough weapons for the English and Spanish armies.

“Haa… What should we do?”

“Should we accept the Holy Roman Empire’s proposal?”

While Sigismund I and his vassals were seriously 고민하고 [agonizing], Jewish merchants in Warsaw brought valuable information.

“There is a rumor that the Empire can do it right away! Why don’t you visit the Empire?”

“The Empire can do it?”

“That is the rumor. But, considering the things the Empire sells and what they showed in Italy, it is believable.”

The Jewish merchants answered with confidence.

“I will deeply consider your opinion. I sincerely thank you for your loyalty.”

Under Sigismund I’s praise, the Jewish merchants bowed their heads and answered.

“It is an honor.”

After sending the Jewish merchants out, Sigismund I turned to his vassals.

“What do you think? They are Jews, can we trust them?”

“The Jewish merchants’ trustworthiness is reliable.”

“Knowing the nature of the Teutonic Order, there is no reason for them to use deception.”

The Teutonic Order’s 독선 [dogmatism/self-righteousness] was famous. They were known for killing and plundering not only those who believed in the Orthodox Church or new denominations, but also, at times, even fellow Catholics if things went wrong. It was easy to imagine what would happen if they met Jewish people.

On the other hand, Sigismund I was a Catholic, but he was also known for being tolerant of those who believed in the Orthodox Church or new denominations.

“Then send an envoy to Seoul.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

* * *

The Polish-Lithuanian negotiating team, having traveled through the Holy Roman Empire and Italy, across the Mediterranean Sea, and arriving at Suez, secured the fastest ship to Seoul. Arriving in Seoul and having an audience with Hyeon, the negotiating team met with Shin Suk-ju and entered into negotiations. After conveying their business to the Empire’s working-level officials, the Polish-Lithuanian negotiating team prayed with earnest expressions.

‘God, please…’

“Hmm… First, the problem is the rifles. The Empire’s standard rifles are only sold to Switzerland. And producing Florentine rifles is a problem because we don’t have the production facilities… This is a matter that must be reported to His Majesty the Emperor. But aside from that, the mobile artillery and cannons don’t seem to have any particular problems. Ah, maybe the price is the problem?”

The Polish-Lithuanian negotiating team’s faces brightened upon hearing the Empire’s working-level officials’ answer, but soon became serious.

‘So far, it’s the same story we heard from other countries! The problem is time!’

“We will accept whatever the Empire wants for the price. The problem is time. When can we receive them?”

The Polish-Lithuanian negotiating team doubted their ears at the Empire’s working-level officials’ next answer.

“When is your country’s next 해빙기 [thawing season] in the North Sea? We will send them to match that time. And if it’s the quantity your country wants, we can send it all in about three years.”

The Polish-Lithuanian negotiating team was stunned by the Empire’s working-level officials’ expression that it was no big deal. After a while, the Polish-Lithuanian negotiating team shouted in earnest voices.

“We will unconditionally accept whatever conditions the Empire wants! Please, let’s make a contract!”

Hyeon, having received a report on the situation through the working-level officials, immediately sought out Hyang.

“…So, they desperately want our Empire’s standard rifles. So, I want to allow the sale, but what does the Grand Emperor think? You are the one who designed the standard rifles, so I would like to hear your opinion.”

“Hmm… What do the ministers say?”

“Opinions are divided. Those who oppose it are worried that the structure of the standard rifles may be leaked through them.”

“The leakage problem would have already happened in Italy, wouldn’t it? Yet, I haven’t heard any stories about rifles with similar structures coming out?”

“Those who agree have said the same thing as you, Grand Emperor.”

“Hmm… I think it’s okay to sell them. I think I know what the European powers are thinking.”

“What are they thinking?”

“Unnecessarily complicated.”

“Ah! I understand.”

After the conversation, Hyeon left, and Hyang, left alone, chuckled and muttered.

“The straight-pull system is complicated compared to the general bolt action. But that’s the trap. It will be quite a struggle to move from a bolt-action rifle to an automatic rifle.”