Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 1071

1071. The Lofty Rabbit is Cooked (1)

‘Lofty Rabbit is cooked’ was a very familiar term to the administrators of the Ming Dynasty, Japan, and the Empire. To a monarch, especially one newly succeeding in founding a dynasty, the founding contributors were both comrades and potential threats. They knew the monarch’s heart best because they had shared difficult times. Yet, they were also the ones who might boldly demand favors or look down on the monarch.

This was because they had witnessed the monarch’s shortcomings while enduring hardships together. Therefore, the founding monarch often felt compelled to carry out a purge as time passed. It was a ‘necessary evil’ for the sake of consolidating power and ensuring a smooth succession. This was the origin of the saying ‘the lofty rabbit is cooked once it is no longer needed’ [meaning those who helped achieve power are disposed of once their usefulness ends].

This was also why the Qizilbash [a Turkoman group that formed the military backbone of the Safavid dynasty] of the Persian Safavid Empire and the Janissaries [elite infantry units that formed the Ottoman Sultan’s household troops and bodyguard] of the Ottoman Empire often became targets of purges. The Qizilbash were Shahanshah Ismail of the Safavid Empire’s most powerful military force, but their extreme religious ideology strained relations with the people.

The Janissaries were initially created to correct the power imbalance favoring the guards and to strengthen the Sultan’s authority. However, they eventually became a powerful faction themselves. Both the Shahanshah and the Sultan found themselves in a position where they were being influenced by their most powerful assets, creating vulnerabilities that other countries could exploit.

The administrators of the Empire, Ming, and Japan, having finalized their plans to take control of the Safavid Empire, submitted the relevant documents and target lists to their respective monarchs. The orders received from the monarchs of the three countries were simple:

-Execute.

Consequently, new military units began forming in Ming and Japan, and the Imperial Navy transport fleet, tasked with carrying them, entered its final stages of preparation.

* * *

While the Empire, Ming, and Japan were preparing for their final push to seize Persia, the European powers were also making their own preparations.

-The Ottoman Sultan Bayezid is visibly weakening.

As this rumor spread throughout the Ottoman Empire and into the European countryside, European politicians and strategists accelerated their plans. Two countries quickly rose to prominence: France and Italy.

France was a traditional European powerhouse, known for its proactive approach to protecting its political position and interests. Despite suffering setbacks at the hands of England during the Hundred Years’ War, it had recovered and reclaimed its status. Therefore, France’s involvement came as no surprise.

However, Italy’s emergence was unexpected. As a newly unified country still recovering from the aftermath of its unification war, its capabilities were generally considered limited. Yet, Italy displayed surprising strength and enthusiasm. It possessed a wealth of commanders and soldiers with significant combat experience and familiarity with modern warfare, gained during the recent unification conflict. Furthermore, as a newly formed nation, it was driven by enthusiasm and a clear sense of purpose.

-The stability of the Ottoman Empire is absolutely necessary to ensure the safety of the Suez region.

With this justification, Italy began to act openly. As France and Italy made their moves, their allies and rivals also accelerated their own, leading to a flurry of new alliances and broken agreements among the European powers.

The first to forge closer ties were France, Italy, and Portugal. France had distanced itself from Italy and Portugal during the Italian unification war. However, with the Suez Canal at stake, France needed to collaborate with them once more.

It wasn’t just about Suez. Italy possessed the most in-depth knowledge of the Mediterranean region, including the Ottoman Empire. Portugal, in turn, had significant interests in the Atlantic Ocean, France’s maritime frontier, and the New World beyond, followed closely by Italy.

Ultimately, the leaders of the three countries convened in Paris for a historic summit to normalize relations. As France, Italy, and Portugal joined forces, it was a natural consequence for Spain and Habsburg to align as well. Habsburg had to contend with France, while Spain had long-standing rivalries with Portugal.

In the end, Spain and Habsburg solidified their alliance through a marriage. This left England in a difficult position.

-Considering military strength and overall capabilities, the France-Italy-Portugal alliance is the most formidable.

-Therefore, allying with them would be the safest option. While securing a large share might be challenging, the risk of losses would be minimized.

-The problem is France’s presence.

-But joining Spain and Habsburg presents its own set of issues.

-Spain, quick to draw its sword at the mere mention of Islam, and Habsburg, meddling in everyone’s affairs while struggling with its own problems. We risk cleaning up their messes and facing bankruptcy.

-Should we act independently? The idea of claiming ‘everything as my share,’ regardless of success or failure, is appealing.

-The problem is our lack of connections within the Ottoman Empire.

-France, Italy, and Portugal have cultivated extensive and reliable networks within the Ottoman Empire, primarily through Suez.

-Habsburg also has connections with the Ottoman Empire stemming from past conflicts with Hungary.

-Furthermore, the union of Hungary and Habsburg has added Hungary’s existing Ottoman connections to the mix.

Faced with this situation, England found itself paralyzed by indecision. Henry VII and his advisors in London repeatedly deliberated over the best course of action.

“Haa~. This is truly a difficult decision.”

The advisors and nobles nodded in agreement with Henry VII’s lament. One of the nobles grumbled.

“The world is changing too rapidly. I used to complain about the monotony of life, but now I pray for things to simply return to how they were yesterday…”

Everyone nodded in agreement. The world was changing at an accelerating pace. Hardly a day passed without a new merchant setting sail or going bankrupt. Travel, once measured in days by horse, carriage, or foot, could now be accomplished overnight by steam train.

Trade was undergoing a similar transformation. Previously confined to the North Sea, the Mediterranean Sea, or at most the Caspian Sea, ships now traversed the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. As the world evolved, international relations shifted even more rapidly, with alliances and rivalries changing from day to day, month to month, year to year.

Of course, some enemies, like France, remained constant.

“But we cannot simply continue to grumble. Given the Ottoman Empire’s strategic importance, falling behind now would prevent England from ever advancing again.”

At Henry VII’s words, the advisors and nobles sighed and returned their attention to the reports and the world map.

“We can’t do this, and we can’t do that…”

“Whichever side we choose, the potential profit is small, and the potential loss is great…”

“My stomach is churning…”

“Is it just your stomach? My hair loss has worsened.”

As everyone, including Henry VII, was deep in thought, the door opened, and a young official entered and bowed respectfully.

“What is it?”

“Habsburg has identified the Ottoman successor they are supporting.”

At the young official’s announcement, Henry VII jumped up from his seat.

“Yes! Who is it!”

“It’s Korkud of Anatolia!”

Upon hearing the young official’s report, the advisors and nobles in the room quickly searched through the reports.

“Korkud of Anatolia…”

“Here it is!”

Henry VII, after examining the relevant report provided by an advisor, looked around at the assembled nobles and advisors.

“It seems Habsburg has acted as we anticipated.”

“That’s correct.”

The Anatolia region was connected to the Balkan Peninsula of Eastern Europe. For Habsburg, this region was relatively familiar. Anatolia served as the launching point for Islamic forces attempting to invade Europe, particularly Hungary.

Consequently, Habsburg possessed a good understanding of the factions and leaders within Anatolia. Therefore, choosing Korkud was a logical move. Because he was a known entity, dealing with him in the future would be easier.

“The problem is Korkud’s current situation…”

“Given Korkud’s current predicament, he would have made significant concessions to Habsburg.”

Henry VII nodded in agreement. Korkud’s situation was dire. He had suffered substantial losses after failing to suppress the rebellion of the Shia mystics.

As a result, Korkud had fallen from being the most promising candidate for the throne to the one most likely to be executed first. To recover from this crisis, he would grasp at any opportunity, even selling his soul to Habsburg.

Henry VII, having reviewed the situation, looked around at the nobles and advisors.

“Now, we must choose our card based on France’s decision. What was our prediction?”

At Henry VII’s question, one of the advisors consulted the reports and answered.

“It’s not France, but Italy, and Italy is continuing to contact Selim.”

“Are there any issues with that side?”

The advisor immediately responded to Henry VII’s question.

“Yes, according to our information, they are disagreeing over the Janissary issue.”

“Hmm… Is there any information on Habsburg’s plans for the Janissaries?”

The young official who delivered the initial report answered Henry VII’s question.

“Not yet, but we will find out as soon as possible.”

“Send more spies if necessary.”

“Yes.”

Henry VII, having given instructions to the young official, looked around at the advisors and nobles.

“It seems best for us to base our decision on who chooses the Janissaries, or rather, who the Janissaries choose. Of course, we should move in the opposite direction of the Janissaries’ choice.”

“That’s right.”

* * *

While London was closely monitoring the situation, Italy was attempting to persuade Selim, who had established his camp in Trabzon.

“Governor, I understand that you are trying to collaborate with the Crimean Khanate. However, you are also aware that the Crimean Khanate is a setting sun. You know how ineffective cavalry is against Hwachas [Korean rocket artillery] and cannons, don’t you?”

“I know.”

Selim nodded heavily in agreement with the Italian envoy’s point.

“Anatolia has allied with Habsburg, and Asaa’s Ahmad possesses sufficient artillery and musketeers. The Crimean Khanate is not enough.”

“I am aware of that to some extent. But your demands regarding the Janissaries are problematic.”

The reason Selim couldn’t accept the proposals from Italy and France centered on the Janissaries.