Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 1136

1136. A Killer Gift (1)

Upon receiving the urgent message from the military advisory group in Ottoman, the French government immediately convened an emergency meeting with relevant officials. The reaction of those who reviewed the message from Baron Ney, the head of the advisory group, was largely negative.

“Are these guys crazy?”

“If they’re going to throw a bomb, they should throw it at Iran. Why are they throwing it at us?”

“Starting a war with the Empire? They must be completely insane!”

Having suffered greatly at the hands of the Empire during the previous Italian unification war, France was fearful of the Empire’s military might.

-Avoid direct military conflict with the Empire at all costs!

-Confront the Empire through various means, including other nations!

This was France’s policy regarding the Empire. Military support for the Ottoman was also a plan derived from this policy. However, they had received an urgent message from the Ottoman requesting a ‘very strong’ attack on the Empire.

In response, officials presented their views to Charles VIII, who was seated at the head of the table.

“This should not be accepted!”

“That’s right! We have painstakingly rebuilt our forces since the Italian unification war. We cannot afford to lose them again!”

“If we lose more forces than necessary fighting the Empire, we could lose Lorraine to the Habsburgs [a powerful European dynasty]. No, we will definitely lose it!”

Everyone who participated in the meeting raised their voices in opposition, but the expressions of Charles VIII and Louis XII were not favorable.

“I have heard your opinions very well. But….”

Charles VIII opened his mouth slowly.

“But, if we follow your opinions, we must abandon the Ottoman. Consider the finances that have been invested in the Ottoman so far.”

Following Charles VIII’s words, Louis XII added.

“It’s not just about finances. We must also consider how neighboring countries will view us if we abandon the Ottoman. If we are perceived as a ‘nation without faith,’ few countries will remain willing to work with us in the future. Or, we will have to make significant concessions to make it happen.”

“Even so, direct military conflict with the Empire is too dangerous!”

“The Ottoman envoy who will arrive soon will explain that part, so let’s wait and see.”

A few days later, an Ottoman envoy led by Suleiman I arrived in Paris.

After receiving the envoy, Charles VIII immediately got to the point.

“Baron Ney, who is in the Ottoman, reported that the Ottoman wants our France to attack the Empire. Is that correct?”

Suleiman I answered immediately to Charles VIII’s question.

“Your Majesty, that is correct.”

“Do you not know what kind of country the Empire is?”

“We know it well.”

“Yet, you are telling us to strike the Empire?”

“We do not wish for you to attack the Empire’s mainland. We are asking you to capture Suez or Gibraltar. If it is difficult to capture both, then at least capture one.”

Charles VIII’s eyes gleamed at Suleiman I’s answer.

“You are asking us to wage a local war, not a full-scale war?”

“That is correct.”

Suleiman I tried his best—no, desperately—to persuade Charles VIII and the French ruling class. This was because his own survival was at stake. Selim I had entrusted Suleiman I with the selection of envoys to visit France. The moment Suleiman I received the order from Selim I, he immediately recognized the trap hidden within.

‘If the envoys fail, I will have to take responsibility! It’s not just a matter of taking responsibility. All the relationships I have built with the military will collapse! Then I will have to watch my father’s every move until he hands over the throne!’

Sensing that his political life was at stake, Suleiman I volunteered to come to France.

After listening to Suleiman I’s explanation, Charles VIII ordered his generals to analyze the possibilities. In response, Suleiman I visited the French generals’ conference room and continued to persuade them. Based on Suleiman I’s explanation and the information they had, the generals assessed the possibilities and reported their conclusions to Charles VIII.

-It is impossible to capture both Suez and Gibraltar simultaneously.

-However, capturing just one place, Gibraltar, is possible.

“Why Gibraltar?”

“Because capturing Suez would not achieve what we want.”

The generals explained the reason for Charles VIII’s question.

-The Imperial forces stationed in Suez are very strong.

-Also, many Imperial forces are stationed along the sea route from Suez to the Empire’s mainland.

-Therefore, if we capture Suez, the Empire’s response may be faster than expected.

-But Gibraltar is different.

-If the blockade or capture of Gibraltar becomes possible, it may take a considerable amount of time for the Empire to know this fact.

-To defend Gibraltar, the Empire must send troops from Shinji [likely a reference to a region or territory controlled by the Empire]. This would require a considerable amount of time to cross the Atlantic.

-The time it takes for the Empire to find out and the time it takes for the troops from Shinji to arrive in Gibraltar will give us enough time to prepare for defense.

“…The most important point is that the main force of the Empire that comes to Gibraltar will be the navy. And we have already prepared enough new equipment to deal with the Imperial Navy. If the Imperial Navy is blocked, the Empire will not be able to do anything for the time being.”

“New equipment… Are you talking about ‘spar torpedoes’ and assault ships?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“Hmm….”

Charles VIII, after hearing the generals’ answers, stroked his chin and pondered.

‘It’s true that attacking Suez is too much of a stretch.’

From the attacker’s point of view, the Suez attack had more than one or two problems to overcome.

-We must first secure Prince Henry’s port. Otherwise, we cannot properly send the army.

-The land route to Suez is also a problem. If the Empire uses railroads, we will have to cross the desert.

-The same goes for the navy.

To attack the Imperial port in Suez, we have to bypass Africa. This is an extremely inefficient operation.

And the biggest problem is….

‘The Imperial Navy stationed in Gibraltar will not just stand by and watch.’

After considering this, Charles VIII turned to the generals.

“If we seize Gibraltar, we can capture the Empire’s eyes, ears, hands, and feet.”

“That is correct.”

“However, to capture Gibraltar, the navy must be the main force, and the same goes for us. And it is very difficult to capture it with our naval power alone. What is the countermeasure for this?”

“Amphibious assault. We need to bring in Spain.”

“Spain?”

At the generals’ answer, Charles VIII turned to Louis XII. At the silent question, Louis XII answered immediately.

“Spain will accept the offer. The reason is….”

-For Spain, Gibraltar is a symbol of ‘national humiliation.’ Therefore, it is a place that must be recovered.

-Also, Fernando II, who currently co-rules Spain, needs to take control of Gibraltar in order to strengthen his power.

Charles VIII shook his head slightly at Louis XII’s explanation and asked.

“Is Spain still fighting a horn fight [a metaphor for internal conflict or power struggle]?”

“That is correct.”

* * *

At this time, the official name of Spain was the United Kingdom of Castile and Aragon.

Queen Isabella of Castile and King Ferdinand II of Aragon ruled as co-monarchs through marriage.

The problem was that Queen Isabella of Castile’s health had been deteriorating for some time. In response, Ferdinand II argued that he should become the sole monarch. However, the Castilian Parliament blocked this. Although it had become a united kingdom, there was a great sense of rivalry between Castile and Aragon, and they could not accept transferring the throne of Castile to the monarch of Aragon.

Accordingly, Juana, born between Isabella and Ferdinand II, became Queen of the Kingdom of Castile according to Castilian law. However, Juana suffered from mental illness, and Ferdinand II took issue with this and was able to take the position of regent.

Thanks to this forced move, Ferdinand II was able to seize power in Aragon and Castile, but it was only half of what he wanted.

In order to become the ‘sole monarch’ rather than ‘one of two monarchs ruling the united kingdom,’ Ferdinand needed achievements that could persuade the Castilian Parliament.

“…Therefore, Fernando will accept our offer.”

Charles VIII, after hearing Louis XII’s explanation, turned to the generals.

“If we bring in Spain as the generals planned, how much does the probability of winning increase?”

“It is difficult to calculate the exact figures, but the probability of winning is definitely higher than if our French navy attacked alone.”

Charles VIII was lost in thought again at the generals’ answer.

‘In the current situation, it is too difficult to get hold of the passage to Persia. If I give up, I will lose too much. The biggest obstacle is still the Empire… If we can get the Empire to withdraw from Iran, the game will change. But can we win against the Empire?’

Charles VIII weighed the pros and cons for a long time before finally coming to a conclusion.

“Duke, go to Spain. Go and bring Fernando in.”

“I obey your order.”

Charles VIII, after giving the order to Louis XII, gave the order to the waiting manager.

“Bring Arthur, the Ottoman envoy.”

“I obey your order.”

Fernando II, who heard France’s proposal through Louis XII, immediately accepted the proposal and requested cooperation from the Castilian and Aragonese parliaments.

In response, the Aragonese Parliament immediately accepted the request, and the Castilian Parliament also accepted the request. It was a proposal from a political enemy, but it was a proposal that could not be accepted.

This was because every time they mentioned ‘Gibraltar,’ nobles and commoners alike showed this reaction.

“The land was recovered after expelling the heathens, but it was taken away by the heathens again! We must take it back at all costs!”

In this situation, they knew very well what would happen if they opposed it, so they accepted Ferdinand II’s request.

As Spain accepted the proposal, Spanish generals began to visit France to plan the operation.

“This operation is a race against time. We must finish preparations as quickly as possible. If we drag out the preparation process, the Empire will notice.”

The Spanish generals nodded at the French general’s words.

The Imperial forces stationed in Gibraltar were closely monitoring the movements of neighboring countries, especially Spain, thanks to Gibraltar’s military importance.

If the Imperial forces found out before the operation was carried out, the Empire’s response would be faster, and France would have even less time than it already had. Therefore, the French and Spanish generals forgot day and night, dividing tasks and adjusting the execution date.

“I repeat, the Empire must not notice! Keep this in mind!”

However, those who were giving this warning were the ones who were talking about it in salons and pubs, and the agents who obtained the information began to move secretly, but as quickly as possible.

“Victory depends on the race against time!”