Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 1128

Ismail’s doubts were resolved in less than a month. The scale of regular shipments from the Empire had greatly expanded.

Black Mirror-class transport ships, rarely seen in the Iranian sea route or the Suez Canal, anchored at the port of Mashara, and a massive amount of military supplies began to be unloaded.

It wasn’t just the Empire. Two months later, the size of the transport fleets sent by Ming had also increased.

Seeing the movements of the Empire and Ming, Ismail’s face brightened, and he ordered the vizier.

“Seriously consider the proposals made by the officers of the Empire and Ming.”

“I obey your command.”

“It would be wise to pay closer attention to the opinions of the officers from the Empire and Ming in the future.”

“That is a wise decision.”

In an instant, the Iranian regime’s interest shifted away from Japan.

* * *

Ishiwara, unable to bear the rapidly changing situation, raged.

“What is the homeland doing! How can we produce the desired results without solid support! How long will they only engage in armchair discussions! Even Ming moved as soon as they received the report, what are they doing!”

*Bang! Bang! Bang!*

Unable to contain his anger, Ishiwara repeatedly slammed his desk.

“At this rate, aren’t we just doing good for others!”

What angered Ishiwara was this:

He had spent a long time building connections in the Iranian military and political circles with great effort.

While the Empire and Ming insisted on a defense-oriented strategy, it was Japan, or rather Ishiwara, who pushed for and persuaded them with an offensive-oriented strategy.

He persistently met with the Iranian military command, explained the plan, held discussions, and even organized drinking parties, which led them to adopt an offensive-oriented strategy, only for the Empire and Ming to snatch it away.

However, Ishiwara evaluated the Empire and Ming favorably.

“I can’t blame the Empire and Ming for that. It’s a matter of national interest. And I have to admit that the strategy they put forward guarantees greater benefits for Iran.”

* * *

The most important thing in the strategy called ‘Geon-sun (建脣) [literally ‘building lips,’ meaning establishing a defensive barrier],’ which was drafted by the officers of the Empire and Ming, but in reality, mostly by the officers of the Empire, was the ‘establishment of a buffer zone.’

“There is a saying in the East, ‘If the lips are gone, the teeth will be cold.’ Iran’s situation facing the Ottomans is exactly like this. Therefore, the task is to create lips to cover the teeth.”

“I see….”

Ismail and the Iranian power holders, as well as the Iranian military command, all nodded at the explanation of the officers from the Empire and Ming.

In the meeting that followed after the officers of the Empire and Ming withdrew, the Iranian military command reported to Ismail and the vizier.

“It is definitely more stable than the plan proposed by Japan. In particular, the setting of that buffer zone is very pleasing.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes, it is. But……”

The Iranian general, who was reporting to Ismail, added his own defense for Japan, with whom he had become close.

“Of course, there were similar contents in Japan’s proposal. However, when it comes to thoroughness and feasibility, the plans of the Empire and Ming are better.”

Ismail, upon receiving the report, immediately issued an order.

“Then, as we said before, refine it based on the plans put forward by the Empire and Ming.”

“I obey your command.”

This was the situation, which caused Ishiwara to burst into anger.

“Thanks to the slow-moving people in the homeland, we are only doing good for others! How can there be such a thing!”

However, Ishiwara did not know that such words had already been exchanged in Seoul a long time ago.

* * *

Woo, who came up with the idea related to the ‘establishment of a buffer zone,’ immediately sought out Hyang and Wan to explain his idea.

“It’s not a bad plan, but what made you come up with this idea?”

“It’s because Japan’s movements are unusual. We can’t let someone else take what we’ve worked for, can we?”

Hyang and Wan both nodded at Woo’s answer.

“That’s right.”

“It shouldn’t happen.”

This is how the plan was created by the three emperors putting their heads together.

And the court, upon receiving it, immediately passed it without question.

No one dared to object to the plan made by the three emperors – especially Hyang, who was the ‘master of conspiracy’ among them.

Ishiwara, who had been shouting for a while, calmed down and examined the report with a composed expression.

It was the ‘Geon-sun Plan’ obtained through the Iranian military command.

Ishiwara, who had become calm and was reading the plan, closed the book in the middle and sighed deeply.

“Haa〜. It’s truly exquisite and neat. I wonder who came up with this plan. If I had such people as my subordinates, I could make Japan the center of the world right now….”

Ishiwara, regretting his words, opened the closed book and began to read again. Ishiwara, nodding repeatedly, put down the plan after reading to the last page and looked out the window.

Ishiwara, looking at the carts and trailers full of military supplies from the Empire and Ming, shook his head.

“The subtlety hidden in the neatness, and such quick execution. There is only that person. Only that person, whom I respect the most, can easily think of and execute such a grand plan. Hooo〜.”

Ishiwara, who sighed, smiled and uttered strange words.

“It seems that the only country where a genius like me can shine is the Empire. Should I retire and go to the Empire and ask them to use me? I heard that in the Empire, if you write a good memorial these days, you can be appointed right away….”

And later, at a drinking party with the officers of the Imperial Army, Ishiwara subtly let the words slip.

The officers of the Imperial Army, who knew Ishiwara’s position and value in the Japanese army dispatched to Iran, immediately sent a secret letter to Seoul. The Joint Chiefs of Staff and the Ministry of National Defense, who received the secret letter, immediately reported it to Woo and secretly began to investigate Ishiwara.

“He is evaluated as ‘a quite talented person.’ What do you think?”

At Woo’s question, Wan opened his mouth before Hyang.

“It’s not like there are only one or two Japanese people in our Imperial Court, and he is said to be a talented person, so wouldn’t it be okay?”

However, Hyang expressed his opposition.

“I am against it. Ability is good, but his character is also important. Especially, since he is a military officer, his character is even more important. Looking at his words and actions sent from Iran, there is a big problem. Being able to draw a big picture and delusion may seem similar, but they are completely different. And the saying ‘things on the ground should be handled by those on the ground first’ is also a worrying statement. Such a person should never hold a key position in the military. No, he shouldn’t be in the military. If such a person is in a key position in the military or as a commander of a front-line unit, we may be involved in an unwanted war.”

In the end, Ishiwara’s move to the Empire was buried in the dark due to Hyang’s strong opposition.

Hyang, left alone, clicked his tongue lightly and grumbled.

“Tsk! Looking at his actions, he is Ishiwara Kanji, the top contributor to the creation of Manchukuo [a puppet state created by Japan in Manchuria], and you’re saying we should bring such a person? Do you want to ruin the country? The start of Japan’s legendary downfall was Manchukuo!”

* * *

With the news of the Empire and Ming’s active support, Japan also hurriedly expanded its support.

As the massive supplies from the three Eastern countries arrived, the execution of ‘Geon-sun’ was approaching.

“Before executing the plan, let’s talk about the setting of the area corresponding to the ‘lips.’”

At the suggestion of an officer of the Imperial Army, the officers of Ming and Japan and the commanders of the Iranian army who attended the meeting began to discuss.

After fierce debate and arguments, the conclusion they reached was as follows:

– The area extending from Lake Van to Mosul.

“It would be about half of the southeastern part of the Anatolian Plateau.”

The Iranian general, who checked the area on the map, was slightly disappointed.

“Wouldn’t it be better if it were a little wider?”

At his words, an officer of the Imperial Army stepped forward and answered.

“It’s actually not good. There are limitations in supply, and if we make a mistake, we can create another enemy.”

The places where the Empire, Ming, and Japan worked hardest to build railroads were the oil fields of Baku, the Iranian capital of Tabriz, and the port of Mashara.

And now, they were building a railroad connecting the oil fields in the Mesopotamia region and the port of Basra, which is located across from Mashara.

Therefore, most of the supplies heading to the Anatolian front had to rely on traditional means such as camels and carts. Naturally, there were limitations in supply, which is why the area was determined.

If that was the first reason, the second reason also had a valid basis. Even though the Ottomans and Iran were not on good terms, minimal exchanges were continuing. And most of that trade route passed through the buffer zone in question.

This meant that if someone capable and ambitious became the owner of the buffer zone, there was a high possibility that it would become another headache. Therefore, it was determined to be a size that was sufficient for the role of buffering and easy to control.

Once the problem of ‘where to where’ was resolved, the next problem was ‘who?’

– Among the various tribes and sects swarming in that area, ‘who’ should we empower?

Amid another fierce debate over this issue, one tribe emerged as the most likely candidate.

It was the ‘Kurds.’

“Kurds?”

“Kurds….”

As the Kurds emerged as the most likely candidate, the officials were perplexed.

The Kurds were the largest force in the Anatolian highlands, including the area designated as the buffer zone. However, there were more than a few shortcomings in considering this Kurdish people as a single group.

They used the same Kurdish language and enjoyed a similar culture, but there were even more differences.

Some tribes were Shia, others were Sunni, or Yazidi, or if neither, there were tribes that still believed in the remaining indigenous religions.

Due to this situation, there were more than a few tribes who were enemies even though they were the same Kurds.

“Choosing and supporting Shia tribes is the easiest thing to do, but….”

“If we do that, the tribes that believe in Sunni will immediately side with the Ottomans.”

“It would be fortunate if it ended there. It is not uncommon for the same Shia tribes to fight each other.”

“To solve this, it is best to establish a good leader, but there are many problems with this as well.”

A Japanese officer echoed the words of the Ming officer.

“A hand bitten by a dog you raised hurts even more [a Japanese proverb meaning that betrayal by someone you helped is especially painful].”

It was the Imperial Army that came to a conclusion in the discussion over ‘who.’

“The leader part is not an urgent issue. Since the word ‘dog you raised’ came up earlier, who is the owner of the area right now?”

A Japanese officer immediately answered the question of the Imperial Army officer.

“It’s Ottoman.”

“Right now, the one who will be bitten by the dog they raised is Ottoman. No, is it the dog they were trying to raise?”

“Aha!”

Those who understood the words of the Imperial Army officer began to see the point.

The Imperial Army officer continued with a meaningful statement.

“What we have to do is put them to work first and wait. Then they will bite the Ottomans on their own. In the end, the Ottomans will have no choice but to move first, and Iran will gain justification. And we choose someone useful among the survivors.”

The Imperial Army officer smiled wryly at the end of his words, and the Ming, Japanese, and Iranian army officers also smiled similarly.