Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 1078

1078. The Emperor’s Gambit (8)

The Empire’s decision to manufacture and send Florence rifles, instead of the standard-issue Imperial Army rifles, wasn’t solely due to Ming and Japan producing rifles based on the Florence design. It was also a strategic move to prevent the Empire’s standard-issue rifles from being leaked and potentially reverse-engineered. With minor adjustments to the bolt’s reciprocating motion, the rifle could be modified into a fully automatic weapon.

In fact, Hyang and his artisans were already developing a new gas-operated automatic rifle. This advanced rifle utilized a 20-round magazine and offered both semi-automatic and fully automatic firing modes. Upon learning about this rifle’s capabilities, the Imperial Army’s Ministry of Defense began brainstorming new combat tactics.

“With a rifle like this, we might not need to rely so heavily on armored carriages,” one officer mused. “It opens up possibilities for more flexible strategies.”

“The problem is ammunition,” another countered. “Each soldier would need to carry at least 200 rounds. Hmm…”

“Even a single leaf added to their backpacks makes the soldiers complain about the weight during marches. If we suddenly burden them with over 100 extra rounds, there will be a revolt. Should we just increase the number of assault carriages after all?”

“Magazines… increased ammunition consumption… logistics… budget… Aish…” The discussion devolved into frustrated sighs.

The development of this new rifle necessitated widespread changes, impacting everything from combat tactics to the supply chain. The Ministry of Defense and the Imperial Army General Staff found themselves groaning and complaining daily.

Meanwhile, Hyang chuckled upon hearing this news and muttered,

“There’s something else to fill the armored carriage’s role.”

Having largely finalized the new rifle’s design, Hyang shifted his focus to developing a new type of mobile artillery to replace the existing standard-issue models. This new artillery would be based on a GPMG (General Purpose Machine Gun).

Hyang envisioned integrating this new artillery with existing mobile artillery and armored carriages, creating a more versatile and powerful combined arms force. Interestingly, the concept for this new weapon system didn’t originate with Hyang, but with Jang Yeong-sil [a renowned Joseon-era inventor and scientist].

While managing District 52 in Shinji, Jang Yeong-sil had designed and even built a prototype of such a weapon. This project, shelved after Jang Yeong-sil’s death, was now being resurrected. However, it wouldn’t be a simple recreation of Jang Yeong-sil’s original design. Hyang planned to incorporate several improvements, embarking on the development of a new mobile artillery based on Jang Yeong-sil’s foundation. This backstory explained why the Empire had dusted off the molds for the Florence rifles, which had been sitting in warehouses, to manufacture and distribute them.

“Other countries will eventually develop something similar,” Hyang reasoned. “But there’s no need to give them a head start, is there?”

With this consensus, they decided to proceed with the production and distribution of the Florence rifles. Furthermore, Hyang was already anticipating the next stage of development.

“Looking at history, there were all sorts of bizarre and failed creations vying for dominance alongside Japan’s Type 11 light machine gun [an early Japanese light machine gun known for its flawed design]. We should expect similar experimental weapons to emerge here as well.”

* * *

Ismail, having received the gifts from the envoys of the Tri-Nation Alliance, acted swiftly. He allocated half of the rifles and mobile artillery to arm his personal guards and the palace garrison. Then, he began organizing a new military unit to utilize the remaining weapons. The vizier, acting as Ismail’s representative, engaged in intense negotiations with the Tri-Nation Alliance envoys.

“Our brothers from the East have promised ‘definite’ support. I wonder just how ‘definite’ that is?”

At the vizier’s question, the Ming envoy stepped forward and countered, “What specific aspect of support are you inquiring about?”

“I’m primarily interested in military support.”

“We will initially supply enough rifles, mobile artillery, and cannons to equip approximately 10,000 soldiers.”

“10,000 is insufficient. We require at least 40,000.”

“If the goal is solely to suppress the Qizilbash [a militant Shia group], wouldn’t 10,000 be adequate?” the Ming envoy asked.

The vizier shook his head. “The Qizilbash are a problem, but the Ottomans [a major Sunni Islamic empire] pose a far greater threat.”

At the vizier’s response, the Empire’s envoy interjected, “We maintain friendly relations with the Ottomans. We could potentially mediate.”

Again, the vizier dismissed the Empire’s offer. “Mediation might be effective for border disputes, but we are Shia Muslims, and they are Sunni Muslims.”

“Ah…” The envoys of the Tri-Nation Alliance reacted with similar expressions of understanding.

* * *

The most striking realization for the Tri-Nation Alliance envoys upon arriving in Persia was the deeply entrenched animosity between the Sunni and Shia sects of Islam. Throughout the Lesser and Greater Occultations [periods of perceived absence of the Shia Imam], the Shia had endured significant persecution at the hands of the Sunni, a history they hadn’t forgotten.

Consequently, when Ismail seized power in Persia, the Shia sought to reverse the existing power dynamics. The Qizilbash’s massacres and forced conversions of Persians represented the most extreme manifestation of this desire for retribution. However, their actions were so brutal that they ultimately became a liability.

As the Qizilbash became targets for elimination, the Jafari school of law [a major Shia legal school] rose to prominence. While it was a legal school, the Jafari school was relatively moderate and flexible. However, even the Jafari school remained firm on the issue of converting Persians to Shia Islam. Naturally, the Ottomans, whose population was predominantly Sunni, couldn’t simply stand idly by. A conflict between the Ottomans and Persia was virtually inevitable.

The envoys of the Tri-Nation Alliance, recognizing this volatile situation, sighed deeply.

“Hoo~. I was hoping for an easier path forward.”

“I concur. This is truly unfortunate.”

* * *

Knowing the strained relationship between the Ottomans and Persia, the envoys of the Tri-Nation Alliance had no choice but to concede to the vizier’s request.

“Understood. But remember the word ‘minimum.’ If war erupts with the Ottomans, 40,000 soldiers could vanish in the blink of an eye.”

“Is there no way to avert war?”

“I reiterate, they are Sunni, and we are Shia.”

“Hoo~.” Seeing the envoys’ worried expressions, the vizier added, “If you don’t want Europeans seizing control of the oil you desire, you must choose your course wisely.”

“…We will bear that in mind.”

Following this exchange, negotiations between the two parties intensified. With the political constraints imposed by the Qizilbash removed, the vizier pursued the negotiations with even greater vigor.

“We underestimated our opponent,” one envoy admitted.

“I agree. I assumed they were all simply devout Muslims, focused solely on Allah, but they have exceeded our expectations.”

“To think there is someone so seasoned. As expected, becoming a vizier of a nation means they are never an easy opponent.”

Acknowledging their initial complacency, the envoys steeled themselves and resumed negotiations. However, as they had assessed, the vizier was a formidable negotiator. Having discerned that the East’s primary interest was oil from their first meeting, the vizier skillfully wielded it as leverage.

“A joint venture. Favorable terms. However, our Persia is not yet wealthy, so we will contribute labor instead of gold. Employ our people.”

-Persian laborers will be employed in construction projects related to the Belt and Road Initiative.

-And recognize Persia’s stake by providing these laborers.

-Wages for the laborers? Of course, they must be paid. However, Persia lacks the necessary funds, so our Eastern brothers should cover the costs.

-Guarantee in writing that the laborers and their families will receive wages sufficient to avoid starvation, even if they are not affluent.

-Guarantee in writing that adequate compensation will be provided to those who die or become disabled during construction.

-Provide sufficient support for building schools to educate the Persian people and hospitals to treat them.”

“…Isn’t that demand excessively high?” one of the Tri-Nation Alliance envoys protested.

The vizier countered, “Didn’t the East express a desire to be friends with Persia? Is it appropriate to haggle over the price when a friend in need asks for assistance? Is that how friendships are conducted in the East?”

“…That is not our way,” the envoy conceded, forcing a bitter smile.

‘We’ve been outmaneuvered again.’

However, the Tri-Nation Alliance envoys weren’t simply being exploited.

“In exchange, Persia’s share of the oil profits will be 1/4.”

“What! It’s oil from our land! And only 1/4! We should receive at least half!”

“Who do you think is providing the technology to extract that oil, the technology to refine the extracted oil, the technology to manage the equipment and facilities needed for extraction and refining, and the operating funds?”

“Then 2/5!”

“1/4. What else can impoverished Persia offer besides people and land?”

“We can concede up to 1/3!”

“Will you pay the full cost of the weapons we will supply to Persia, excluding the amount for 10,000 men? If you accept 1/4, we will only charge half the cost for the remaining 30,000 men. And we will only charge half the cost for the amount consumed or lost due to training or war, and for any additional quantities requested.”

“…Give me time to consider this.”

Returning to the palace and consulting with Ismail, the vizier ultimately accepted the Tri-Nation Alliance’s proposal.

“We agree to 1/4 of the total share.”

“A wise decision.”

Following this agreement, the vizier and the envoys of the Tri-Nation Alliance continued their intense negotiations on various other issues. However, rumors circulating outside the negotiation table increasingly favored the Tri-Nation Alliance. The Imperial cavalry’s reports of victories against the Qizilbash were spreading rapidly.

-The military power of the Eastern soldiers is so formidable that they can easily defeat the mighty Qizilbash warriors.

-However, even that powerful force represents only a fraction of the East’s overall strength.

-If they determine that negotiations with us are unfavorable, the East will seize Persia by force.

Ismail and the vizier, having keenly felt the power of the three Eastern nations through the ‘Battle of Tabriz’ and the subsequent ‘Qizilbash Pursuit Battle,’ abandoned their excessive greed.

In the end, the negotiations concluded in a manner that was moderately satisfactory to both sides. The envoys of the Tri-Nation Alliance, having successfully concluded the negotiations, reported their success to their respective home countries. Shortly after the envoys’ reports arrived, ships laden with weapons and troops began departing from the three nations’ trade ports in droves.

* * *

As the new shipments of weapons and troops arrived, the envoys of the Tri-Nation Alliance had their titles changed from envoys to ambassadors. Embassies of the three nations began construction near the encampment where the envoys had been residing, and the newly arrived troops replaced the existing forces, assuming their responsibilities.

In addition, some of the troops were assigned as instructors, responsible for training and providing tactical education to Ismail’s newly formed army. With the Tri-Nation Alliance firmly establishing a bridgehead in Persia, ships carrying all sorts of construction materials finally began to arrive in large numbers.

“First, let’s begin by constructing a proper port and building a railway connecting Basra and Tabriz.”

“I agree.”

Finally, the grand undertaking known as the Belt and Road Initiative had begun.