Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 1135

1135. The Middle East War (13)

To Selim I’s repeated question, Baron Ney answered immediately.

“Ah, no! France and the Ottomans have long pursued common interests. The victory of the Ottomans is the victory of France.”

“Is that so? Then what do you think France can do for victory? You wouldn’t be trying to use a shallow trick to solve everything with the blood of us Ottomans, would you?”

“Absolutely not! A large amount of supplies will arrive soon! Our France is doing its best for victory.”

“That’s very kind of you.”

Selim I, who answered dryly, turned back to Suleiman I.

“I believe that we can only win if we cut off the connection between Iran and the Empire [likely referring to the British Empire]. What do you think?”

To Selim I’s question, Suleiman I bowed his head and answered.

“I think that is indeed the case.”

“Then what should we do to achieve this?”

At Selim I’s question, Suleiman I began to sweat profusely.

‘If I answer immediately here, I’ll fall into a trap! It’s better to buy time by showing a weak appearance!’

Suleiman I bowed his head even deeper and said to Selim I.

“I am foolish and cannot find an answer right away. Please give me some more time.”

“Time? Alright… How much do you need?”

To Selim I’s question, Suleiman I thought for a long time before answering.

“Fifteen days, please give me only fifteen days!”

“In this situation, do you think fifteen days is appropriate! Report your thoughts within three days!”

“Three days is too short! Ten days. Please give me only ten days!”

“I’ll give you five days! Anything more than that, I’ll consider it insubordination!”

At Selim I’s firm statement, Suleiman I, with a dying expression, answered.

“I obey your command.”

* * *

Suleiman I, who came out of Selim I’s military tent, sighed deeply.

“Hoo~. I managed to buy some time somehow.”

To be honest, Suleiman I was confident that he could come up with an answer that would satisfy Selim I to some extent within three days, no, even two days. However, if that were the case, the chances of receiving criticism rather than praise were even higher.

“You found the answer in just two days? Even with utmost caution, you won’t know the victory or defeat unless Allah [God in Islam] moves! But you found the answer in just two days? Why are you so rash!”

Because it was certain that he would be criticized like this, he deliberately asked for as much time as possible.

“Cutting off the Empire’s support… Considering using France, the answer that comes out is almost the same no matter how much time I spend thinking. The most important thing is not to provoke the Sultan’s vigilance.”

Suleiman I was evaluated as the ‘Sultan’s only successor’ and ‘a talented person with both literary and military skills.’ Therefore, it was important not to provoke Selim I’s vigilance.

No matter how close they were as father and son, there was only one throne.

Considering Bayezid II’s suspicious death after Selim I ascended to the Sultan’s throne, Selim I could not let his guard down on Suleiman I even for a moment.

“Even if I am the only successor, I can never rest assured until I ascend to the throne.”

Suleiman I, who glanced at Selim I’s military tent, headed to his own military tent and gave an order.

“Summon the strategists.”

“Yes, Your Excellency Governor.”

* * *

Exactly five days later, Suleiman I reported the countermeasures he had devised to Selim I.

“So, what are the countermeasures that the governor has come up with?”

“To put it bluntly, it is France’s direct engagement in the war.”

“Hoo?”

Selim I showed interest, and the faces of the French military advisory group turned pale.

“Explain in detail.”

At Selim I’s command, Suleiman I explained his thoughts in more detail.

-No one is unaware that the Empire is behind the infidels’ good fight.

-If the Empire’s support is cut off, the infidels’ ability to sustain the war will weaken rapidly.

-To cut off the Empire’s support, we must make the Empire project its power elsewhere.

-There are two optimal locations to divert the Empire’s attention. One is Suez, and the other is Gibraltar.

-Suez has existing railways, as well as the canal currently under construction. In other words, Suez is where the Empire’s greatest interests are at stake.

-In the case of Gibraltar, it is a thorn that the Empire has stuck in Europe. Because of this thorn, Europe is unable to move properly in the Atlantic and Mediterranean.

In other words, the Empire must also control Gibraltar to ensure its safety.

“…Therefore, France must directly strike one of these two places to divert the Empire’s attention.”

Having said this, Suleiman I turned his gaze to the French military advisory group and continued.

“I believe this is not a loss for France either, wouldn’t you agree?”

At Suleiman I’s question, Selim I also looked at the French military advisors with an interested expression.

“I too am curious about the answer. Wasn’t France the one trying to gain even a little more profit in Suez and the Mediterranean?”

‘In a way, you French are the ones who induced this war.’

The French military advisors, who received the question, looked at each other with pale faces.

After a moment, Baron Ney, the representative, said to Selim I in a trembling voice.

“This is not a matter that can be determined by our discretion. It is a matter that must be referred to the home country. Therefore, we cannot answer immediately.”

“I am well aware of that. I am simply asking about the possibility from the perspective of a general.”

Baron Ney, who kept his mouth shut and pondered, opened his mouth.

“If I were to answer from the conclusion, I think there is a fifty percent chance.”

“Fifty percent chance?”

“As the governor said, attacking Suez or Gibraltar could divert the Empire’s eyes and power. However, considering the Empire’s national power, it is difficult to guarantee victory.”

“The Empire’s military power is indeed strong…”

As Selim I nodded in agreement, Suleiman I joined the conversation.

“I know that the Empire’s military power is strong. But don’t we and the Empire have something in common?”

“What do you mean we have the same thing?”

To Selim I’s question, Suleiman I answered immediately.

“It’s time.”

“Time?”

“That’s right.”

-Although the Empire’s power is strong, its military power remains within the Empire’s territory.

-In other words, it will take quite a long time for the Empire to know this and send troops.

-What we need to think about here is the problem of communication.

Although the Empire’s military power is ‘overwhelming,’ its communication-related capabilities are almost the same as ours.

-In other words, if France attacks Suez or Gibraltar, it will take up to half a year for the Empire to know this and send troops.

Having explained this far, Suleiman directly asked Baron Ney.

“Let’s skip Suez and look at Gibraltar. The Imperial army stationed in Gibraltar is strong, but if France mobilizes its full force, wouldn’t it be possible to capture it? Surely, that much is not impossible?”

At Suleiman I’s incitement, Baron Ney retorted in a rough voice.

“What do you take our France for? Gibraltar is possible.”

At Baron Ney’s answer, Suleiman I smiled and said to Selim I.

“It will take six months for the Empire to learn that France is attacking Gibraltar and send a fleet. In that time, France will be on the defensive and the Empire will be on the offensive. Isn’t the most difficult battle a siege? The Empire will be tied up here. Then the infidels will also weaken.”

“Hmm…”

Selim I, who heard Suleiman I’s proposal, fell into thought.

Selim I, looking back and forth between the map of the Anatolian region where the war situation was recorded and the world map hanging next to it, muttered to himself.

‘Come to think of it, that world map was also sold by the Empire. Selling maps, should I see it as arrogance? Or should I see it as confidence?’

Due to its military value, maps were not easily sold and bought. However, at some point, the Empire began to produce and sell ‘world maps.’

Of course, they did not sell maps that recorded the inside of the Empire.

‘Ah. That’s not the urgent thing now.’

Selim I, who briefly digressed and returned to the main point, asked Suleiman I.

“It sounds good, but there is a problem. To the left and right of Gibraltar are the Empire’s allies, Portugal and Italy. As you said, it will take time for the Empire to move, but Italy and Portugal can move immediately. Isn’t that why the Empire made Portugal and Italy its allies?”

Everyone in the military tent nodded at Selim I’s point.

This was because they did not know that this part was something the Empire had ‘stumbled upon.’ At Selim I’s point, Suleiman I readily nodded.

“Certainly, that part is as the Sultan said. But don’t both Portugal and Italy have great enemies nearby? I’m talking about Spain and Habsburg [House of Habsburg, one of the most influential royal houses of Europe].”

At Suleiman I’s words, Baron Ney joined the conversation.

“Are you saying we should join hands with Habsburg?”

Baron Ney showed a rough reaction, but Suleiman I did not care.

“Shouldn’t we join hands if necessary?”

“Habsburg is not an option.”

“Then how about Spain?”

At Suleiman I’s words, Baron Ney closed his mouth and began to calculate.

‘I hear that a marriage alliance between Habsburg and Spain is being actively pursued right now. Cutting off the connection between the two here would be very good for our France.’

* * *

Unlike the history before Hyang intervened, the marriage alliance between Habsburg and Spain had not yet been concluded. This was because France had seized Burgundy at a faster pace than in the history before the intervention.

Thanks to this, Maximilian I’s family affairs were completely changed, and the marriage alliance had not yet emerged.

After briefly considering the number of cases, Baron Ney answered in a slightly softened voice.

“Spain would be fine. Of course, this is my personal opinion. It is not the official view of our France.”

Suleiman I, seeing Baron Ney’s efforts to avoid falling into his trap, smiled even more deeply and took the words.

“I also have a personal opinion, but I think it’s not a bad thing for France to bring in Spain? Doesn’t Spain have a long-cherished desire for Portugal and Gibraltar?”

For Spain, Portugal was a ‘traitor,’ and Gibraltar was land that must be recovered.

Baron Ney, who nodded without realizing it at Suleiman I’s words, gave a bitter smile.

This was because he realized that he had nodded without realizing it. No matter how unintentional the action was, nodding in this situation was enough to give the impression that the French authorities agreed with Suleiman I’s words.

No matter how much he insisted that it was his personal opinion, it was decisive. In the end, Baron Ney waved the white flag. Baron Ney said to Selim I.

“If the Sultan decides, I will refer it to the home country. However, I would like to reiterate that this is beyond the scope of my discretion. I recommend sending an envoy.”