Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 1138

1138. A Killer Gift (3)

The joint operation between France and Spain was an undertaking of unimaginable difficulty.

“Looking at the plan, it seems quite simple.”

Admiral Tourville explained the operation once more to the Spanish generals.

-Spain will mobilize its army to attack the Imperial Army’s mountain defenses and coastal batteries guarding the Strait of Gibraltar.

-France will mobilize its navy to blockade the Strait of Gibraltar, preventing the Imperial Navy from entering or exiting.

-Starve out the Imperial forces defending Gibraltar, then seize Gibraltar and prepare for the Imperial Army’s counterattack.

After listening to Admiral Tourville’s explanation, the Spanish generals responded:

“The plan is simple, but the problem is that its difficulty is beyond imagination, wouldn’t you agree?”

“That’s the key point.”

Admiral Tourville nodded in response to the Spanish generals’ comments.

“Isn’t that why we’re dividing the tasks?”

It was an operation where each side would act as the other’s hammer and anvil. For such a joint operation to succeed, smooth communication and unified control had to be guaranteed. However, communication was a problem that even the great Empire struggled with. Therefore, unified control was impossible from the start.

For this reason, France and Spain decided to divide the mission and command between land and sea. This decision stemmed from the hard-earned experience of the Italian Unification War.

At that time, the Spanish and French fleets moved in conjunction with each other. However, due to differing command systems and doctrines, they did not coordinate well. As a result, the joint French and Spanish fleet suffered significant damage.

If it hadn’t been for the misjudgment of the Imperial Navy’s command, which was filled with excessive confidence at the time, they could have been annihilated. Therefore, this time, Spain and France decided to operate separately.

The Spanish generals nodded at Admiral Tourville’s words, but they couldn’t hide their concern.

“However, this operation is one where trust is paramount. Trust that each side is doing its best.”

Admiral Tourville nodded emphatically at the Spanish general’s words.

“I agree. This operation is like fighting back-to-back.”

-This operation is like two knights fighting enemies while standing back-to-back.

-If one of them gets scared and runs away or doesn’t fight properly, the other will be stabbed in the back and killed.

-If the Spanish army and the French navy attack the Imperial army, the Imperial army’s firepower will inevitably be dispersed. This will reduce the damage that the Spanish and French forces have to endure.

-However, if either Spain or France fails to perform adequately, the Imperial army will aim to defeat them individually.

In that case, Spain and France will be defeated.

“…Can Spain assure us that they will protect our backs?”

In response to Admiral Tourville’s question, one of the Spanish generals immediately retorted.

“What about France? Wasn’t this operation started because of France’s greed in the first place?”

The French generals present showed signs of anger at the Spanish general’s blunt question, but Admiral Tourville readily nodded.

“I cannot deny that. But even because of that greed, we French will do our best. If we give up here, we will lose too much.”

Perhaps believing that Admiral Tourville’s words were sincere, the Spanish generals did not continue the questioning. After the meeting ended that day, one of the French military commanders who was leaving the conference room asked a colleague next to him.

“Didn’t the Admiral say earlier that it’s like ‘two knights fighting back-to-back’?”

“Yes, he did. Why?”

“It’s a situation where they protect each other’s backs while fighting, but what if the side attacking those knights is overwhelmingly strong? Wouldn’t protecting each other’s backs be useless?”

“…Don’t go around spreading that.”

* * *

Three days later, the Spanish generals finished their meeting and had an audience with Charles VIII.

“The Spanish army will begin its offensive in a month.”

“I understand. Our French navy will also adjust accordingly.”

Charles VIII, who answered concisely, gestured to the attendants beside him. Seeing Charles VIII’s gesture, the attendants soon returned with wooden boxes and stood in front of the Spanish generals.

“I have prepared a small gift to wish you good fortune in battle.”

As soon as Charles VIII finished speaking, the attendants opened the lids of the boxes.

Inside the box was a six-shot revolver with ornate gold and silver inlays.

The Spanish generals, who were staring at the revolver as if they were possessed, respectfully thanked Charles VIII.

After the Spanish generals left, Charles VIII looked around at the French military commanders gathered in the audience hall, starting with Admiral Tourville.

“I have high expectations for you generals. Do your best.”

“We will obey your command!”

* * *

Admiral Tourville and the French naval commanders, who had returned to naval headquarters, began their final inspections. However, the atmosphere was very somber.

They had maintained an exaggerated sense of confidence when the Spanish generals were present, but the atmosphere became subdued as soon as they were alone.

Admiral Tourville, standing at the head of the table where a large map of the Strait of Gibraltar was spread out, turned to the other commanders and began to speak.

“Hmm… The most concerning ships in this operation are those three new Imperial ships…”

At Admiral Tourville’s words, the intelligence officer stepped forward to explain.

“According to reports from spies who returned from Gibraltar two days ago, they are warships that move purely by steam engines without using sails at all. Also, they came all the way here from Shinji [a region in the Empire] without resupply.”

“Without resupply?”

“Without resupply?”

The conference room was filled with commotion at the intelligence officer’s report.

It was true that the navigational capabilities of ships had greatly improved with the advent of steam engines. However, to be more precise, it only meant that they were faster and less affected by the weather. With the generalization of steam engines, the role of intermediate supply bases became even more important.

This was because steam engines would become useless if coal and fresh water were not properly supplied. Looking at the cases of European powers, starting with France, it was necessary to maintain at least three supply bases on the route from mainland Europe to Gloria [likely a colony or important port] to ensure safe navigation.

However, the Imperial new ships in question had crossed the Atlantic Ocean from Shinji to Gibraltar without resupply.

“I don’t know about their combat power, but their navigational capabilities are certainly impressive.”

The other commanders nodded at Admiral Tourville’s words.

“If we successfully capture Gibraltar, we must get our hands on them.”

Having made up his mind, Admiral Tourville continued his questioning of the intelligence officer.

“Are they using oil instead of coal after all?”

“Yes, they only use oil as fuel. The intelligence department believes…”

-The new ships in question are expected to be at least ironclad ships, if not purely iron ships.

-Also, judging by their size, they are quite large.

-However, their armament does not seem to be very strong compared to their size.

-Of course, they are quite powerful compared to our navy’s battleships.

-As a result of analyzing their navigational capabilities, size, and firepower…

“…The intelligence department believes that the new ships in question are ‘cruisers (croiseur)’ that the Empire is known to be developing.”

* * *

During this period, not only Ming and Japan, but also the European powers were paying close attention to the movements of the Imperial army. Many spies infiltrated the Empire’s mainland and Shinji, and most of them disappeared into the darkness after playing hide-and-seek with Milwei [Imperial secret service].

Of course, not all espionage activities took place in the shadows. The embassies of various countries stationed in Seoul obtained and analyzed the daily-published gazettes [official newspapers] and sent them to their home countries.

In this process, they obtained intelligence that the Imperial Navy was developing new types of ships – cruisers and destroyers.

Of course, only the concepts were written in the gazettes, and detailed information was missing. And the airship carriers and firepower support ships were not even listed in the gazettes. There was also one more thing that other countries did not notice.

With the iron hull as the base, and the installation of oil-based power plants, electric generators, and motors, the Imperial Navy’s new ships were gradually increasing in size. This was because the electric generators and motors were quite bulky. Not knowing these inside stories, and not seeing the real thing of cruisers and destroyers, the French naval intelligence department mistook the destroyers for cruisers.

* * *

“Hmm… Cruisers…”

After listening to the intelligence department’s report, Admiral Tourville turned his gaze to the officers in charge of tactics and operations.

“Assuming that they are pure iron ships, not ironclad ships with iron armor on wooden ships, can our ramming ships destroy them?”

At Admiral Tourville’s question, the officers immediately answered.

“If they are cruisers as the Empire describes them, we can destroy them sufficiently.”

“According to the results of the ramming ship experiments, they easily penetrated the side armor of the Challenger-class battleship late models.”

Admiral Tourville’s face brightened at the officers’ reports.

The Challenger-class battleships – called battleships in Europe, not battleships – were famous for their damn defensive power. Even in the early days when they were made of wood alone, they were considered one of the toughest, and after they were additionally armored with iron, they became an existence that made the naval commanders of other countries grind their teeth. The interesting thing was the reason for armoring the hull with iron.

In other countries, they thought it was to strengthen the defense. However, the first reason the Empire armored with iron was to prevent barnacles and the like from easily attaching to the hull. The most recommended material was copper plate, but it became iron plate because of cost, not military reasons.

“Copper plate? Do you know how much copper costs! Let’s go with iron, iron!”

Over time, many of the secrets of the Challenger-class hull were revealed, and the French Navy’s ramming ship experiments became possible.

The officers continued to report to Admiral Tourville.

“We believe that even the ramming turtle ships [heavily armored warships], which are considered the most difficult enemy, can be neutralized if we use the ramming ships well.”

“Neutralized? Do you mean we can sink them?”

“Neutralized, not sunk.”

Admiral Tourville lightly smacked his lips at the officers’ honest answer.

“That’s a bit disappointing. Anyway, it’s possible to attack them, right?”

“That’s right.”

“Good! Then let’s review the operation one last time!”

At Admiral Tourville’s command, the commanders and officers gathered around the map and began to review the operation.

-The ramming ships disguise themselves as small merchant ships to deceive the eyes of the Portuguese and Imperial navies.

-When they arrive at Gibraltar, they remove the sails from the bow and install bombs.

-While the fleet’s battleships attract the attention of the Imperial Navy stationed in Gibraltar, the ramming ships ram and strike the Imperial Navy’s battleships.

-At the same time, the abandoned ships that were towed to Gibraltar are run aground at the entrance of the bay.

-If all goes according to plan, the Imperial Navy will be isolated in the port of Gibraltar.

-Of course, the Imperial Navy will continue to attempt to break through, but it will be difficult to maneuver and fight properly because the entrance to the bay is blocked.

-After that, Gibraltar will be starved out through the ensuing war of attrition on land and sea.

This was the French Navy’s plan.

Having reviewed up to this point, Admiral Tourville turned to the commanders.

“According to the information we have gathered so far, it takes about a month for the Empire’s ships to cross the Atlantic from Shinji to Gibraltar. If we do our best to block communications, we can buy ourselves 3 months at the shortest, and 6 months at the longest. We must get Gibraltar in our hands within that time. Only then will the Empire falter in Persia, and we will be able to achieve what we want. Keep this in mind! Risk your lives for our great France!”