Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 1129

1129. The Middle East War. (7)

Constantinople, the Sultan’s Palace.

“Another incident in Anatolia?”

“That is correct, Your Majesty.”

“Hoo…”

The Grand Vizier of the Ottomans sighed deeply after confirming the report.

Recently, activity in Anatolia had become concerning. The movements of the Shia tribes were noticeably increasing, as was the frequency of attacks on Sunni tribes. However, the conflict wasn’t limited to Sunni and Shia clashes.

Some Sunni tribes hostile to the Ottomans were also beginning to show stronger animosity. In response, the Ottomans began deploying more troops to key locations in Anatolia. However, the situation continued to deteriorate.

Attacks began targeting supply convoys heading to the bases in key locations. Initially, it was just a few gunshots echoing in the air, but over time, they began targeting the supply carts directly. Whenever these shootings occurred, the supply convoys had to stop.

The escorting units would search the surrounding area and ensure safety before resuming movement. This cycle repeated, and the base garrison began to suffer from shortages of supplies. Indeed, it wasn’t just the base garrison.

These bases were often located in urban areas with significant civilian populations. As the situation became increasingly unstable, fewer merchants visited, and civilians also began to suffer from shortages. As supplies dwindled, prices in the garrison soared, and discontent among the residents towards the Ottoman army grew.

Especially in areas with large Shia populations, the intensity of the discontent was particularly strong. To address this, the Ottoman army deployed cavalry to search nearby villages. However, the results were not satisfactory, as there was no concrete evidence.

“The easiest way would be to just wipe them out…”

Most of the commanders in charge of the mission complained like this, but the orders from Constantinople strictly forbade it.

-No strong measures are allowed without concrete evidence.

This was an inevitable order from Constantinople.

-War is inevitable, but a clear justification is needed.

Many commanders were frustrated with the decision made by Selim I and the upper echelons, including the Grand Vizier.

“Since when have we waged war looking for justification?”

“Winning is all that matters! Winning!”

The generals’ response to the young commanders’ arguments was mostly similar.

“If the enemy were only Iran, we wouldn’t need justification. But the problem is the ones behind Iran.”

“Without justification, the Eastern nations will intervene. That would complicate matters.”

“If even one empire from the Eastern Three gets involved, no one can predict the outcome.”

They said, ‘No one knows,’ but those who knew the Empire to some extent were even more pessimistic.

-At best, a draw.

Therefore, they issued the order to find ‘concrete evidence.’ With evidence, they could justify the war and keep the Eastern Three from interfering.

* * *

Amid these complex circumstances, more and more reports of attacks were coming from Anatolia. And the concerns of the Grand Vizier and Selim I deepened.

“No concrete evidence. No concrete evidence…”

In the process of stopping the increasingly intense attacks, they secured the bodies of the attackers and their firearms. However, due to the Ottoman’s poor administrative system, they could not identify the dead or the tribes involved.

They didn’t even know the population of the suspected tribes. The captured firearms were also a problem. Most of the firearms the dead carried were Florentine rifles.

At this time, the Florentine rifle could be called the ‘universal rifle.’ Most countries, except for the Empire and Switzerland, used Florentine rifles.

France and England used their own rifles, but even these were only slightly different in caliber from the Florentine rifle.

Therefore, a single rifle was not enough to justify a war.

Of course, they could argue Iran’s involvement by pointing out the excellent craftsmanship of the rifle, but this was a stretch. A large number of Florentine rifles manufactured and exported by the Eastern Three were also circulating.

Interestingly, the reason why Florentine rifles made by the Eastern Three sold so well was the ‘Qizilbash Purge’ [a series of massacres and forced conversions targeting the Qizilbash, a Shia religious group]. At the time, the Qizilbash were armed with antiquated muzzle-loading muskets (though rifled), spears, and scimitars.

“Faith is the most powerful sword and shield!”

This belief of the Qizilbash was effective until they subdued the Aq Qoyanlu dynasty and the emirates that ruled the Persian region. Indeed, it was the best weapon. However, it was helpless against the Hwacha [Korean rocket artillery], cannons, and rifles of the Eastern Three. And the emirates around Iran, having seen and heard of the Qizilbash’s demise, purchased Florentine rifles produced by the Eastern Three as much as they could afford.

“No! It’s the same ‘Florentine rifle’! But why are you buying the ones made in the East!”

To the protests of European merchants who had tasted bitterness, the emirs of Arabia and Afghanistan silently presented the Eastern-made Florentine rifles. The European merchants who tried to operate the rifles invariably frowned and cursed.

“Damn it… They’re disgustingly well-made.”

Unfortunately, the barrels and stocks of the Florentine rifles made in the East were more firmly joined than their European counterparts, and the mechanisms and triggers moved more smoothly. The artisans, who had to make at least 100,000 or 200,000 once they started, were incredibly skilled, and they were Japanese artisans with a reputation for ‘making them with their lives on the line.’

And the Empire…

“If it’s made by the Empire, it’s either cannons! Or bullets!”

“Even if you can’t buy cannons, the Empire’s bullets are the best!”

This was because the Empire’s bullets showed overwhelmingly superior accuracy when used with Florentine rifles made in Ming or Japan compared to using Ming or Japanese bullets. Even Europe, countries that used Florentine rifles, were buying bullets from the Empire.

Thanks to this, it became even more difficult for the Ottomans to find the backers using the rifles and bullets seized in Anatolia.

* * *

“I understand what Iran is thinking, but the problem is that there is no way to avoid it.”

The Grand Vizier of the Ottomans, lamenting while pressing his temples, checked the report that had just arrived.

Tearing open the seal and examining the contents, the Grand Vizier immediately jumped up from his seat.

“This is bullshit!”

The Grand Vizier, uttering curses, immediately moved outside.

“I’m going to see the Sultan!”

Selim I, after confirming the report brought by the Grand Vizier, sighed deeply and glared at the Grand Vizier.

“Hoo… Why is this only coming up now?”

“I am sorry, Your Majesty.”

“Why is an issue that should have been reported urgently coming up only now…”

Selim I trailed off, examining the report again, his expression becoming even more serious.

“It’s deliberate.”

“It may not be deliberate, but rather a failure to properly recognize the importance of the matter.”

At the Grand Vizier’s words, Selim I shook his head with a resolute expression.

“No, this is deliberate. Those who have run out of patience are acting without thinking of the consequences. Hoo…”

Selim I sighed deeply and examined the report again.

The sentences in the report were short, but the content was not.

-A supply convoy heading to Patnos was attacked.

-The escort repelled the attack and pursued the attackers, but lost them along the way.

-The traces were followed, and it was confirmed that they led to a nearby tribe.

-A battle occurred while searching the tribe. It was completely suppressed.

What ‘completely suppressed’ meant was clear.

The problem was that this area was where the most Shia tribes resided. And it was immediately predictable that the Shia tribes would revolt upon hearing this news. This important matter was reported through a regular report instead of an urgent one. This was a tacit pressure from the military on Selim I.

-We can’t wait any longer! Let’s strike!

“Hoo…”

Selim I sighed deeply and muttered softly.

“Is it him…”

Selim I was thinking of his son and only heir, Suleiman I.

Selim I, thinking of his son, who was an even more staunch expansionist than himself, ordered the Grand Vizier.

“Now it has become irreversible. Announce that a rebellion has occurred in Anatolia and order the army to prepare for departure.”

“Yes, Sultan.”

Selim I’s orders were quickly conveyed, and the Ottoman army, which had been on standby, gradually began to leave its garrisons and head towards Anatolia. However, most of the officers commanding the soldiers knew well.

-The place where we will stop is Tabriz!

The destination of the Ottoman army was Tabriz, the capital of Iran.

* * *

The rumors about the massacre of Shia tribes by the Ottoman army were quickly conveyed to Iran.

“Now the Ottoman army will inevitably move.”

The officers of the Empire and Ming nodded at Ishiwara’s words. Ishiwara continued with a confident voice.

“Now we have the justification! We must get the standby forces into Anatolia as quickly as possible! We must seize it before the Ottoman reinforcements arrive!”

The officers of the Empire and Ming nodded at Ishiwara’s claim and looked back at the Iranian commanders present.

“It would be good to inform the Shah.”

“Understood.”

The next day, the officers of the Eastern Three visited the palace at Ismail’s summons.

“I have confirmed the urgent report sent from Anatolia. Can we win?”

“No one can be sure of the victory or defeat of war. We can only do our best to win.”

As soon as the Imperial Army officer finished speaking, Ishiwara stepped forward.

“Trust the Shah’s army. We will surely win.”

Ismail’s face brightened at Ishiwara’s words.

“Oh! I am relieved to hear your words. Are you Ishiwara?”

“Yes!”

“I have heard of your excellence. Can you lend your wisdom on the battlefield for our army?”

Ishiwara immediately replied to Ismail’s request.

“Yes! I would be honored!”

Ismail nodded with a bright face at Ishiwara’s answer, and the officers of the Empire and Ming made faces as if they had chewed something bitter.

‘Now there is no way out.’

‘That stupid bastard! If you want to die, die alone!’

From the outside, Ishiwara’s participation meant the participation of the Eastern Three. If Iran continued to win, the Eastern Three would only need to provide material support.

However, if Iran lost its momentum, the Eastern Three would have to openly deploy troops.

All because of that Ishiwara.

If they drew a line saying, ‘This is Ishiwara’s sole decision,’ that would also be a problem.

Iran would immediately distrust the Eastern Three, and then other countries would also doubt the credibility of the Eastern Three.

This would be a bigger blow to the Empire than anything else.

‘A country that is slow to move, but once it moves, it does things for sure.’

‘An enemy who is more troublesome than anyone else, but an ally who is more reliable than anyone else.’

Because the Empire’s reputation would collapse.

Unlike the warm atmosphere between Ismail and Ishiwara, the Imperial Army officer had a bleak expression.

‘If it becomes a full-scale war instead of a border dispute, Iran is at a disadvantage in terms of military power. The Empire has no way out.’

The Imperial Army officer, thinking that far, sighed softly and muttered.

“Hoo… It seems like my chance for advancement has flown away thanks to someone.”