Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 1059

1059. Gambling (3)

At Han Chi-hyung’s words, all the ministers focused their attention on him. However, none of them were looking at him favorably.

‘He’s been emptying his pockets buying drinks these past few days; has he lost his mind?’

‘Did the Emperor scold him so badly that he’s gone crazy?’

‘Did he perhaps eat some spoiled tonic?’

Speaking for the dubious ministers, Deputy Prime Minister Seong Jun asked Han Chi-hyung,

“Sprinkle ashes? Are you saying our Empire should join that troublesome gambling game?”

At Seong Jun’s question, all the ministers nodded. If the Empire joined, it would certainly be like sprinkling ashes [a waste of effort]. If the Empire expressed its intention to participate, the leading three candidates would surely step forward and extend their hands first, and it was clear that the European powers would be left chasing after them like dogs after a chicken. It would literally be like sprinkling ashes on the gambling game that the European powers had created after much deliberation.

The problem was…

“The problem is that the Empire also has to choose one person, and if we make a mistake, the Empire could also fall into a quagmire.”

At Seong Jun’s point, Han Chi-hyung smiled and took the words.

“Of course, I am well aware of that risk. And the governors in question will already be swarming with people sent by the European powers. In that case, the governors’ noses will be high in the sky [behaving arrogantly], and the envoy sent on behalf of the Empire may be humiliated.”

At Han Chi-hyung’s words, the Minister of National Defense frowned and opened his mouth.

“In that case, we should overturn the whole game. How dare they!”

At the Minister of National Defense’s words, Deputy Prime Minister Ryu Soon immediately interjected.

“That’s just a hypothetical. No matter how high their noses have become, if they have any brains, they wouldn’t do such a foolish thing. They would just be playing tug-of-war to raise their value a little.”

Han Chi-hyung immediately nodded at Ryu Soon’s words.

“I agree. Anyone with sense would naturally do that. But in the end, it’s certain that we’ll end up in a boring situation where our Empire can’t take the lead. So, the place I’m trying to sprinkle ashes on isn’t the Ottomans, it’s Persia.”

“Persia?”

When ‘Persia’ suddenly came up, all the ministers expressed their doubts.

“Wait… Persia… Hmm?”

The first to react was the Minister of Foreign Affairs. The Minister of Foreign Affairs looked at Han Chi-hyung with shining eyes.

“The kingdom that ruled Persia collapsed some time ago, and now it’s a no man’s land. Or rather, should I say it’s a time of chaos? Are you saying we should take advantage of that?”

Han Chi-hyung nodded at the Minister of Foreign Affairs’ words.

“That’s right. We should choose a powerful figure among the local magnates who created the chaos and make him the master of Persia.”

“Hmm…”

The ministers who heard Han Chi-hyung’s plan wore serious expressions as they calculated the gains and losses in their minds. Among them, the first to speak was Ryu Soon.

“Even if I roughly calculate the wealth that goes in, it seems like a considerable amount? And even if it succeeds, it doesn’t seem like it will harm the Ottomans or the European powers. It’s a completely different matter from the succession battle.”

Han Chi-hyung immediately replied to Ryu Soon’s point.

“If the only thing at stake in the gambling game was the Suez [Suez Canal], then the Deputy Prime Minister is right. But isn’t there one more thing? Oil.”

“Oil?”

“I’ll explain with a map.”

Han Chi-hyung pointed to Persia, the Arabian Peninsula, and the Azerbaijan region on the world map hanging on the wall and continued to speak.

“The Mesopotamia region of the Arabian Peninsula and the Baku region of Adurbadagan (the old name for Azerbaijan) have been oil-producing regions since ancient times.”

“The European powers have to pass through the Ottomans to get here.”

“The reason why the European powers are showing interest in and trying to intervene in the Ottoman succession battle is not only the Suez but also this geographical issue.”

“If the successor they choose becomes the ruler of the Ottomans, the winner in Europe will either gain the right to pass through the Ottoman region or try to take control of the region together with the Ottomans.”

After explaining this far, Han Chi-hyung looked back at the ministers and asked a question.

“Now, a question to think about! What do you think will happen if a country other than the Ottomans firmly establishes itself in this region that the European powers covet?”

The Minister of National Defense immediately answered Han Chi-hyung’s question.

“It would definitely sprinkle ashes properly. But I can’t agree if we’re starting this work just because of that. At best, it’s a break-even.”

“I agree.”

Other ministers agreed with the Minister of National Defense’s opinion. Looking at those ministers, Han Chi-hyung continued to speak.

“Our Empire also needs oil from this region.”

At Han Chi-hyung’s words, the Minister of National Defense raised an objection again.

“Oil is also coming out of our Empire. Supporting the local magnates in the Persian region may end with simple military supplies support, but in the worst case, we should also consider dispatching the Empire’s army. It is the mission of the Imperial Army to protect His Majesty the Emperor and to defend the Empire’s territory and people. It is not the Imperial Army’s job to get involved in the internal conflicts of a country that is not an ally with the Empire.”

Following the Minister of National Defense’s words, the Minister of Foreign Affairs also raised an objection.

“I agree with the Minister of National Defense. Looking at the European powers working in the Ottomans now, there are those who have uncomfortable relations with our Empire, but there are also those who are allies or maintain relatively friendly relations. If we do something wrong, we may end up antagonizing them. In that case, there will be nothing but losses.”

Despite the Minister of National Defense and the Minister of Foreign Affairs’ points, Han Chi-hyung did not back down from his claim.

“We also need oil.”

“As the Minister of National Defense also said, doesn’t oil also come out of our country?”

“What if the oil that is coming out now is all there is?”

“Huh?”

“What if the oil wells that are producing oil now dry up after a few years?”

“Huh? Have you heard such a story?”

“It’s a hypothetical. But think about it. Oil is an item that will become increasingly important and valuable. The European powers have also realized this, so they are showing moves to use numbers in the Ottomans. What if their numbers work and the oil in that region falls into their hands, and we don’t have oil, then what will we do then?”

“……”

The ministers could not easily open their mouths to Han Chi-hyung’s hypothesis. Han Chi-hyung continued to explain why they should intervene.

“Even now, exploration and drilling are underway in the mainland, North, Northeast, and Shinji of the Empire, no, in all regions of the Empire. And there are several reports of the existence of new gold mines, silver mines, and other mines every year. But what is the reason why only the minimum number of mines are actually mined? Isn’t it to leave them for our descendants, not just for us to use up? The same goes for oil. With the help of the heavens, we may be able to find new oil wells in addition to the oil wells that are currently producing, but there is also the possibility that we will not. If we think about our descendants, isn’t there only one answer left?”

No one easily opened their mouths to Han Chi-hyung’s words. After a long silence, Ryu Soon opened his mouth.

“…..Let’s think about it a little more.”

After that, the meeting continued for nearly fifteen days. This was inevitable. Not only the Empire but also the European powers began to show interest in oil. And this was just the beginning. The moment they knew its value, it was certain that all the countries in the world would soon be interested in oil.

If things went this way, it was certain that conflicts of interest would arise between countries, and as the Minister of Foreign Affairs said, a situation would arise where they would be at odds with the Empire’s allies.

‘Is it really worth proceeding with the Prime Minister’s idea, even at the risk of such an extreme situation?’

‘Is it worth it to tarnish the Empire’s reputation to that extent?’

With this in mind, the ministers had a fierce debate. And this debate forced the lower-level officials to work overnight every day.

“Bring the mine location data from all over the Empire! The most recent one!”

“Find all the data related to oil wells! The most recent one!”

“Bring the birth and death-related data from all over the Empire! The most recent one! Ah! Also bring the birth rate records from all over the Empire!”

“You don’t have it? You can’t find it? Are the archivists just decorations?’

“This number is wrong! Can’t you even copy it properly?”

Such loud voices were heard from all directions, and papers with data flew through the air. Based on the data secured and analyzed in this way, the ministers organized their thoughts.

“Considering the Empire’s current situation and future expectations, is it reasonable to implement the Prime Minister’s idea?”

It was a battle to solve a seemingly simple but infinitely complex problem. Meanwhile, Hyun, who had received reports of this through various channels, shared a story with Hyang.

“I thought about dismissing them all and hiring new ones, like last time.”

At Hyun’s words, Hyang smiled and took the words.

“Aren’t they the ones that Han Myeong-hoi and others carefully selected? If they seem too lax from time to time, you can just give them a stern word.”

“I will keep that in mind. I should also inform the Crown Prince.”

“That’s a matter of course.”

It was a grandfather and grandson sharing a story that would make the parties involved shudder.

* * *

Meanwhile, while a fierce debate was taking place above, strange stories were also coming out below. A typical example was the Ministry of Education.

“Why do we have to go through this hardship?”

“Huh? What?”

“A friend in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs says that this mess is because of what’s happening, or may happen, in the Ottomans? But we’re the Ministry of Education? I can understand if it’s the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of National Defense, or even the Ministry of Economy and Finance, but why do we, the Ministry of Education, have to go through this hardship?”

“I know, right? Suddenly, they’re telling us to organize and upload the contents of the Empire’s policy promotion for the students of the Samin Academy? What does this have to do with the Ottomans?”

When these words were exchanged among the lower-level officials, the middle managers with the qualifications of Danghagwan [a mid-level official rank] explained the reason to them.

“The reason is simple. It’s because the people attending the academy are watching and learning what we’re doing now. If the things we’re doing now become bad examples, the Empire’s future will not be good.”

“Ah……”

“If you understand, go and work! If the report doesn’t please me this time, I’ll throw you in the archives!”

“Ah, I understand!”

* * *

When the situation where a conclusion was not easily reached continued for nearly fifteen days, Hyun discussed this with Hyang again.

“What does the Supreme Emperor think?”

“What does the Emperor think?”

At Hyang’s question, Hyun was silent for a moment before answering.

“I think we should consider the Prime Minister’s proposal. The future is unknowable.”

“I agree. But there’s also a problem. If we do something wrong, the Empire could become isolated. To put it nicely, we’ll become mavericks, and to put it badly, we’ll become loners.”

“Yes, honestly, that’s the biggest obstacle.”

Hyang, who was examining Hyun’s expression as he answered, asked Hyun.

“The Emperor seems to have thought of the answer to that to some extent?”

“I think the answer is to find someone to move with us. The problem is who is the right person. Our European allies are a bit unsettling. They act secretly from us too.”

At Hyun’s words, Hyang told his thoughts.

“How about finding someone desperate and putting them forward?”

“Put them forward? As a henchman?”

“That’s right. So, how about Japan?”