Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 1074

1074. Purging the Worthless (4)

As the envoys disappeared outside, the vizier, his face hardened, spoke to Ismail.

“This is a truly dangerous proposal.”

“Dangerous? Why?”

“Starting with oil, the idea of us and the East being intertwined and exchanging goods doesn’t seem bad. Especially the joint construction of railways and ports; that seems very good.”

“So, what exactly is dangerous about it?”

“The military aspect. The Qizilbash [a militant Shia group that helped establish the Safavid dynasty] will not stand idly by.”

“The Qizilbash…”

At the vizier’s mention of the Qizilbash, Ismail gritted his teeth. It was the Qizilbash who had enabled Ismail to rise again from his hidden life, fleeing from assassins, and ultimately made him the ruler of Persia.

However, the problem came afterward. The Qizilbash’s rigid, even extreme, Shia Sufism was causing most of the Sunni Persians to choose rejection over obedience. The strongest ally had become the strongest obstacle. The vizier, carefully watching Ismail’s expression, continued.

“Creating the Shah’s army, Persia’s army, seems good at first glance. An army that absolutely obeys the Shah’s commands is the Shah’s most powerful sword. Also, the process of raising an army will provide opportunities for many Persians. To seize these opportunities, Persians will become loyal to the Shah, and their families will become his faithful subjects. Up to this point, it’s not bad at all. But the Qizilbash are the problem. The Qizilbash will not stand idly by.”

“They are also my subjects. Shouldn’t they follow my orders?”

To Ismail’s words, the vizier replied with a meaningful remark.

“They have already become like camels.”

At the vizier’s words, Ismail gritted his teeth again. He recognized that it was an allusion to the story of the camel that stole its owner’s tent, passed down from ancient Arab society. Ismail, who had been gritting his teeth at the vizier’s words, soon softened his expression and responded.

“The problem is that they’re not just any camels. Aren’t they the kind of camels that would bite their owner if they’re even slightly displeased? The way they’ve been acting lately makes it even clearer.”

* * *

When the envoys of the Three Nations Alliance arrived in Tabriz and requested an audience, the Qizilbash had risen up in protest.

“We must prevent infidels from setting foot in the Shah’s sacred palace! How dare they!”

Seeing the Qizilbash strongly opposing, the vizier stepped in to stop them.

“Surely, the Shah cannot go outside the palace? Diplomacy has its etiquette.”

“Diplomacy with infidels is an impossibility! We can only spread the truth or kill them according to our doctrine! Befriending infidels under the guise of diplomacy is what those heretical Sunnis do!”

“Now, now~ That’s too harsh!”

As the argument between the Qizilbash and the vizier grew increasingly heated, Ismail intervened.

“Enough! Enough! What is this disgraceful behavior!”

“Shah! This is for the sake of Allah and to protect the truth! We must not be swayed by the guise of diplomacy!”

“Diplomacy is essential in running a country! This must be acknowledged! This is my command!”

At Ismail’s command, the leader of the Qizilbash gritted his teeth and rose from his seat.

“If the Shah thinks so, then do as you wish. However, we will withdraw from that place. We cannot bear to hear the impure words spoken by impure infidels with their impure mouths.”

“Haa… Do as you wish.”

As Ismail permitted their absence with a sigh, the Qizilbash’s expressions grew even more fierce. They had expected Ismail to back down if they took such a strong stance, but the opposite had happened. The leader of the Qizilbash, gesturing to restrain those who were about to lash out, paid his respects to Ismail and warned him.

“We will abide by the Shah’s decision. However, remember that it was Allah’s will that placed the Shah in his position. This country is Allah’s country before it is the Shah’s.”

As soon as the warning was over, the leader of the Qizilbash led his subordinates out of the grand hall with a dignified gait. Ismail and all his officials gnashed their teeth at the sight of the Qizilbash, who did not bend at the waist or step back, but stood tall and turned their backs with dignity.

“Grind!”

It was in this state, with the Qizilbash absent, that Ismail proceeded with the meeting with the envoys of the Three Nations Alliance.

* * *

“The problem is that there are eyes and ears of the Qizilbash even within the palace.”

At Ismail’s words, the vizier nodded and responded.

“It is certain to be very noisy from tomorrow. I can only hope that they do not harm the envoys.”

“Just in case, have soldiers stationed near the envoys’ lodging as soon as day breaks tomorrow.”

“I shall carry out the Shah’s command.”

The next day, as soon as dawn broke, the royal guards, acting on Ismail’s orders, surrounded the area around the lodging—more like a vast open space—where the Three Nations Alliance was staying.

“What is the matter?”

At the question from the imperial official who had come as the representative of the envoys, the commander of the guards replied immediately.

“There were the Shah’s orders to protect the envoys in preparation for any unforeseen circumstances.”

At the commander’s words, the imperial official stepped back for a moment to talk with the Ming and Japanese officials. After a brief conversation, the imperial official, having reached some agreement, returned and said to the guard commander.

“We are immensely grateful that the Shah has expressed such concern. However, if so many soldiers are gathered here, the people will be uneasy. We can protect ourselves, so please withdraw the soldiers.”

“These are the Shah’s orders.”

“Then I will inform the Shah. Let us go together.”

The imperial official, accompanied by a group of guards, headed to the Shah’s palace with the guard commander, and those who remained behind called for the commander of the escort.

“Is the barricade well-installed?”

“Yes. We have disguised it to look like we are just piling up goods.”

“It would be best if the expected event does not occur, but it seems that something will happen. If it does, we need an overwhelming victory. Keep this in mind.”

“Do not worry.”

“Are the ammunition and troops sufficient?”

“They are sufficient.”

“I will trust only in you.”

“Yes.”

The escort commander, having reassured the envoys, called the officers together to assess the situation.

“Judging by the signs, it seems we will have to shed blood. If things go as expected, the enemy’s main force will be cavalry armed with single-shot rifles and bows. Prepare thoroughly.”

“Understood.”

“Understood. But wouldn’t it be better to have the disguised soldiers change their clothes in advance?”

“Changing clothes is forbidden until something happens. We need to mislead the enemy’s judgment.”

“Understood.”

“Then let’s check the situation once more.”

“Yes.”

The escort officers, having finished their discussion, dispersed to their respective areas. Just as the officials from the three nations had gathered to form the delegation, the escort was also composed of troops from the three nations. The commander-in-chief of the escort was an imperial army officer, but he treated his subordinate commanders with great respect. Although they were subordinates, they were of similar rank and status to him.

In guarding the place where the delegation was staying, the escort divided the area by country.

-There’s no point in mixing everyone together when they can’t even communicate properly!

Based on this judgment, the area was divided and assigned by country. And here, a competition of pride broke out between the Empire, Ming, and Japan.

-We have to do better than those guys!

Due to this competition of pride, the barbed wire surrounding the lodging was set up even more densely and sturdily. Also, the barricades disguised as cargo boxes were set up even more cleverly. If ‘some enemy’ were to attack, these cargo boxes would turn into sturdy strongholds.

* * *

Meanwhile, the imperial official who had found Ismail paid his respects to Ismail and got straight to the point.

“We are immensely grateful that the Shah is concerned about us. However, sending the guards who protect the place where the Shah resides is not a good thing. Do not worry about our safety; it is right to protect the Shah’s safety.”

At the imperial official’s words, Ismail and the vizier’s expressions changed subtly. After exchanging glances with Ismail for a moment, the vizier stepped forward and asked the imperial official.

“Does the envoy from the East know why the Shah is worried?”

“I know to some extent.”

“Isn’t it frightening, considering the lives of the envoys are at stake?”

“How could I not be frightened? However, since I have stepped forward to represent my country, I must be willing to risk my life when the time comes.”

At the imperial official’s answer, the vizier whispered to Ismail.

“It seems they came knowing.”

“I agree.”

Ismail, agreeing with the vizier’s words, asked the imperial official.

“If you were me, how would you solve the problem that is tormenting me now?”

To Ismail’s question, the imperial official replied without hesitation.

“The camel that stole its owner’s tent should have its neck cut, and the dog that bit the sheep that must be protected should be beaten to death.”

“Cut the neck and beat to death…”

As Ismail was pondering the answer, the imperial official continued.

“It has been said since ancient times, ‘The king is like the sun, shining warmly on all the people.’ However, how can those who prevent the Shah from shining a warm light on his people be called the Shah’s subjects? They may have been the Shah’s subjects in the past, but now they are merely obstacles hindering the Shah’s reign.”

“Hmm…”

“This land is the Shah’s land, and the people of this land are the Shah’s people. Therefore, subjects cannot argue with the Shah. However, a decision is necessary for the Shah to earn the title of true ‘Shahanshah (شاهنشاه, King of Kings)’ [the Persian title for King of Kings, a symbol of imperial power].”

At the imperial official’s words, Ismail answered sincerely without realizing it.

“Your tongue is sharper than any famous sword and sweeter than any woman’s lips. It severs the bond stronger than steel between me and those with whom I have shared life and death, and shakes my heart so much.”

“You flatter me.”

“But I cannot make a decision right now.”

Ismail, pausing for a moment, announced his decision.

“First, I will withdraw the troops as you requested. May Allah’s blessings be with you.”

“I will do my best. I will surely create the best results for my country and the Shah.”

The imperial official, paying his respects to Ismail, retreated from the grand hall backward. As the imperial official disappeared, Ismail turned to the vizier.

“They will move, won’t they?”

“According to rumors, their leader was furious.”

“There will be bloodshed… Haa…”

Ismail, letting out a long sigh, muttered in a small but earnest voice.

“Inshallah [God willing]…”