Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 1079

1079. The Spoils System (9)

While a great upheaval was taking place in Persia, a storm was brewing in the Ottoman Empire as well. It began with an earthquake. A massive tremor struck Constantinople (modern-day Istanbul).

“The Last Judgment has begun!”

The earthquake was so powerful that the people who rushed outside in shock cried out about the ‘Last Judgment’ [a religious belief about the end of the world]. Bayezid II, who suffered psychological shock from the earthquake and exhaustion from the subsequent recovery efforts, rapidly weakened. This news was conveyed to the governors throughout the Ottoman Empire.

‘Either become the Sultan, die, or flee out of the Ottoman Empire.’

It was news signaling the start of a race where one of these three choices had to be made.

* * *

As the race began, the interest of the power brokers gathered in Constantinople was, ‘Who will be the victor?’ The most promising candidates were, of course, Korkut, Ahmed, and Selim.

“It’s a real free-for-all…”

The nobles reading the situation all shook their heads. This was because Korkut and Selim, who had suffered significant losses early in the competition and were expected to be eliminated early, had joined forces with Europeans and launched a preemptive strike to revive their chances.

Therefore, the nobles gathered in Constantinople could not view Korkut and Selim favorably. It was a good justification for Ahmed, who had been preserving his strength while being criticized for being ‘passive’ and ‘not brave.’ However, his insistence on preserving his strength became an obstacle.

With all the leading candidates having flaws, the nobles looked to the Janissaries [elite infantry units that formed the Ottoman Sultan’s household troops].

“It depends on who those guys choose.”

Meanwhile, within the Janissaries, a debate raged over whom to support.

“There’s no need to even consider Korkut, and we should choose between Ahmed and Selim.”

“Ahmed is no good. He’s too passive. A Sultan shouldn’t be like that.”

“It’s not just that he’s passive, but the problem is that we suffered great losses because he moved so passively.”

“That’s right. If Ahmed becomes Sultan, we’ll literally become expendable.”

“Then Selim?”

“Selim also has problems. He pretended to listen to our demands but then joined hands with those Italian bastards. There’s no trust. No trust.”

“This guy’s no good, that guy’s no good, so who are we supposed to choose, then!”

“Inshallah~” [If God wills it].

“Hey!”

The race had already begun, and they were debating over whom to support, but most of the Janissaries were in a relaxed mood.

-Even if you win the race, you can only become the definite victor with the Sultan’s recognition.

-If you don’t get our support, the Sultan won’t be able to give recognition.

-Also, the end of the race is the beginning of a civil war.

-The victor who suffers many losses while running the race will inevitably have to reach out to us.

-In the end, the ultimate victor is us, the Janissaries.

Therefore, the Janissaries could afford to be relaxed. Because that’s how it had always been. However, this race deviated from their expectations from the start.

* * *

Around the time the race began, a French envoy visited Vienna, the Habsburg capital.

“There have been many unfortunate events, but how about joining hands this time?”

Maximilian I, upon hearing the envoy’s proposal, retorted with a cynical expression.

“Does that mean France will also support Korkut?”

“No, it means we hope Your Majesty will withdraw support from Korkut.”

“What! How much does France look down on our Holy Roman Empire!”

“It’s not looking down on you, but advice and a recommendation to avoid something that will certainly result in great losses.”

“Ha! France has become arrogant after having a little fun in Lorraine! I’ll have to show them the true nature of the Holy Roman Empire! Something certain to result in losses? Hmph!”

Maximilian I showed signs of moving in the opposite direction, but the French envoy did not appear daunted at all. Rather, he looked at Maximilian I with a worried expression.

“Your Majesty, you should reconsider. It’s not just France that’s moving. Italy and Portugal are also with us.”

“Huh?”

As soon as he heard those words, Maximilian I flinched. The French envoy did not miss this and landed another blow.

“Ah! Didn’t you know? Everyone else knows about it, though?”

This was a very powerful blow.

‘Everyone knows that France, Italy, and Portugal are moving together, but you didn’t know? Are you blind? Are you going to bet in that situation? Are you a sucker?’

Maximilian I’s expression turned serious at the French envoy’s words.

-France alone is a military power comparable to the Holy Roman Empire. Italy is a rising military power, and Portugal’s naval power can be said to be the strongest in the Mediterranean region.

-According to the information I received, Italy has joined hands with Selim.

-That means Selim has Italy, France, and Portugal behind him.

‘But how can France, Italy, and Portugal be together?’

During the previous Italian unification war, France was an enemy of Italy and Portugal. The three countries shed a lot of blood on the battlefield at the time, and thanks to that, the relationship between the three countries, or rather, between France and the Italy-Portugal alliance, had remained quite uncomfortable.

‘How?’

Maximilian I, pondering the reason why the three countries, which were not easy to get along with, had joined hands, immediately recalled the reason.

‘Suez, and oil!’

Realizing the reason, Maximilian I ordered the French envoy.

“I understand what you mean. But it’s not easy to decide right away. Go back and wait.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

As soon as the French envoy disappeared, Maximilian I roared at his vassals.

“Are you all blind and deaf! Is that so!”

* * *

After berating his vassals, Maximilian I took a breath and ordered.

“Think about what the best way is in the current situation.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

-With France, Italy, and Portugal joining hands, we are clearly at a military disadvantage.

-Of course, we also have Spain as an ally. But Spain is not of great help.

-Korkut has too weak a political base as he was the first to be pushed out.

“……Looking at it this far, it is best to let go of the hand we held with Korkut. But…….”

“But?”

“Considering what we have invested in Korkut so far, and the diplomatic gains and losses, it is also a problem to let go right away.”

“Then what is the best thing to do?”

At Maximilian I’s question, the vassals, who were analyzing the situation again, answered.

“The best thing to do is to bring in the Janissaries.”

“The Janissaries? Aren’t they the ones who cut off Korkut first?”

“That’s right. We must bring them in.”

-No matter what anyone says, they are the most powerful military group in the Ottoman Empire.

-The value of the Janissaries has become even higher in the succession battles that have been going on for generations.

“….I understand the reason. But, as I said before, the Janissaries are the ones who cut off Korkut first.”

“However, the variable is that France, Italy, and Portugal have chosen Selim.”

-As the value of the Janissaries becomes more precious, it is certain that the Janissaries will demand more and more from the heirs participating in the competition.

-Until now, only Italy was known to support Selim.

-But if France and Portugal are together, Selim will have less need to secure the support of the Janissaries. No, rather, he will consider the Janissaries cumbersome.

-Then, the Janissaries are more likely to support someone who can accommodate their demands to some extent.”

“…..Hmm. It’s a reasonably rational judgment. But if that happens, wouldn’t Ahmed be more advantageous than Korkut, who has already been cut off?”

“The Janissaries regard Ahmed as passive and greedy.”

-Many Shiites [a branch of Islam] reside in several places, including the border area between the Ottoman Empire and Persia.

-Rebellions often occur in this area due to the sectarian conflict between Sunni [the largest branch of Islam] and Shia.

-In the process of suppressing these rebellions, Ahmed showed a very passive attitude, and conversely, the troops dispatched from the center, including the Janissaries, suffered a lot of damage.

-Therefore, the Janissaries are very unlikely to support Ahmed.

-On the other hand, the reason why Korkut was even evaluated as having been eliminated from the competition was because he suffered serious losses in the process of suppressing these rebellions.

“…..Our Holy Roman Empire made up for this loss. So, the moment we secure the Janissaries, Korkut will become the most certain successor.”

“Hmm…….”

Maximilian I nodded at the vassals’ explanation, but soon glared at the vassals with an expression full of disbelief.

“It’s plausible, but I’m uneasy. Even though France, Italy, and Portugal have already joined hands, we haven’t known that fact until now. Then, can you be sure that the Ottoman situation you explained is accurate?”

At Maximilian I’s criticism, the vassals protested with pale faces.

“The matter of France, Italy, and Portugal is definitely our fault. But we can be sure that the Ottoman Empire is not!”

“That’s right! It may be an excuse, but we only missed France because we were focusing all our attention on the Ottoman Empire!”

“We can be sure about the Ottoman Empire!”

At the vassals’ words, Maximilian I stroked his chin and said.

“Okay. I’ll trust your words one more time. But keep in mind that this is the last time.”

“Yes!”

“We will definitely make it a success!”

At the vassals’ pledge, Maximilian I came to a conclusion.

“Good! Let’s go all the way in this game.”

Two days later, Maximilian I summoned the French envoy and informed him of his decision.

“The Holy Roman Empire will reject France’s proposal.”

“You will regret it.”

At the envoy’s warning, Maximilian I smiled and replied.

“Have you ever seen a fool who accepts the opponent’s advice on the chessboard win?”

“It’s also foolish to hold on even though defeat is certain.”

“The game has just begun. No one knows who will win yet.”

At Maximilian I’s answer, the French envoy quietly paid his respects and left the audience hall.

* * *

The Habsburgs worked diligently to win this gamble.

“The race has begun, but no one is able to move in earnest yet! We must not miss this opportunity!”

The Habsburg envoy secretly sought out the Janissaries stationed in Constantinople. After meeting with the commanders of the Janissaries, the Habsburg envoy stated his business.

“Support Korkut. Then we will accept your proposal.”

“Why Korkut?”

“Selim has joined hands with Italy, Portugal, and France. So they don’t need you. Ahmed only values his own things and only sees you as expendable. But Korkut is brave and proactive, if not hasty. Isn’t that the quality of a ruler that suits you?”

At the words of the envoy sent by the Habsburgs, the commanders of the Janissaries looked at each other with serious faces. After whispering to each other diligently, the commanders answered the Habsburg envoy.

“We will give you an answer within two days.”