Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 1140

1140. A Killer Gift (5)

After hearing Admiral Cristiano’s report, King João II looked at his ministers, his face etched with worry.

“First Minister, what are your thoughts?”

At João II’s question, the First Minister, also the 3rd Duke of Coimbra, cautiously replied,

“Judging by the movements of the French fleet, it seems certain their target is the Imperial forces stationed in Gibraltar.”

“If so, what is the right course of action for us? We are allies with the Empire.”

The Duke of Coimbra hesitated to answer João II’s question.

Portugal and the Empire had formed a military alliance during the recent Italian Unification War. Therefore, if the Empire entered a war, Portugal would be obligated to participate on the Empire’s side. However, the opponent presented a significant problem.

The Duke of Coimbra closed his mouth, carefully considering the situation.

‘If it were just the French navy, we could prioritize honor. But Spain is the real issue.’

Recently, increased movements of Spanish troops had been detected along the border between Portugal and Spain. In response, the Portuguese army had heightened its alert level and was closely monitoring the situation.

‘If France and Spain are working together, we cannot move rashly. A mistake could turn our territory into a battlefield.’

This was why João II and the Duke of Coimbra were troubled: ‘the opponent was the problem.’

–Except for the mainland, invasion of the Empire is almost impossible.

This was the biggest difference between the Empire and other countries.

Unless it was the mainland or Bukji [a region bordering Ming China], which were directly adjacent to Ming, the Empire’s territory was nearly impossible to invade. The most obvious example of this was Shinji [likely a reference to a specific Imperial territory or colony].

To wage a full-scale war, one had to cross the Atlantic or traverse the Pacific, which the Empire called the ‘Inner Sea.’ And that too, with at least 100,000 troops on ships. This was an impossible operation from the start.

Just securing the ships to transport the troops would bankrupt the nation’s treasury. This was why politicians in other countries, especially the European powers, said that Shinji was ‘the most obvious example of how unfair the world is.’

However, Portugal’s situation was different.

Especially if the Empire’s opponent was a European power, as in this case, and the battlefield was in Europe, it was a serious problem. Trying to put out a fire in someone else’s house could lead to one’s own house catching fire.

That was why João II and the Duke of Coimbra could not easily make a decision.

At this moment, the Duke of Coimbra was the one feeling the most pressure.

* * *

The first Duke of Coimbra, who had successfully purged his political rival, the Duke of Braganza, and his group of nobles in the ‘Massacre of the Banquet Hall,’ soon became the regent of the king. After Afonso V came of age, he became the Prime Minister and seized power in Portugal.

However, unlike the Duke of Braganza, the first Duke of Coimbra was a man of great political acumen. After confirming Afonso V’s lack of ability, the first Duke of Coimbra cultivated João II, Afonso V’s eldest son and his own grandson, as a capable talent.

When João II ascended the throne, the Duke of Coimbra took measures to secure his own and his family’s safety and maintain power. He introduced the Empire’s system and modified the kingdom’s Prime Minister system.

–The kingdom’s First Minister is hereditary and is held by the Duke of Coimbra of the time.

–The Second and Third Ministers are appointed by the King.

–However, candidates for the Second and Third Ministers are decided upon the recommendation of the First Minister and the Cortes (Parliament).

–The King has the right to reject the appointment of candidates.

In other words, the existence of the Second and Third Ministers was intended to check the First Minister. However, to become a candidate for the Second and Third Ministers, one had to pass the First Minister’s screening.

Of course, he did not forget to appease the King by granting him the right of veto. In this way, the first Duke of Coimbra ensured the survival and maintenance of his family’s power through a carefully balanced ‘Give & Take’. And as time passed, the 3rd Duke of Coimbra held this position as the kingdom’s First Minister.

In some ways, the Duke of Coimbra wielded more power than the King. Therefore, he was under intense scrutiny from João II. João II, still on the throne, could be seen as inheriting the legacy of the first Duke of Coimbra.

He had learned the art of kingship from the first Duke of Coimbra, had governed Portugal alongside him, and was more committed than anyone to strengthening royal authority.

‘If I make even a small mistake here, our family could suffer the same fate as the Braganza family!’

Sensing that this was a pivotal moment, the Duke of Coimbra bowed his head to João II.

“Making a decision right now would be reckless. The first priority is to ensure the army is fully prepared. Without a prepared army, any decision is meaningless.”

João II nodded at the Duke of Coimbra’s response.

“That’s right. Issue an emergency order to the military immediately.”

At João II’s command, the officials rushed out. João II then ordered Admiral Cristiano.

“The navy must also enter a state of emergency. It seems the navy will bear the brunt of this situation. Prepare thoroughly.”

Admiral Cristiano, answering concisely, paid his respects and left the main hall.

“Only the ministers remain; everyone else, leave.”

At João II’s command, everyone except the attendants and guards left the main hall.

“Only the guards remain; everyone else, leave.”

At the following order, only the guards stationed at the doors and windows remained.

Once only the ministers remained, João II began to speak more frankly.

“Duke, one way or another, it’s certain that France is heading to Gibraltar. The reason is likely Persia, correct?”

“That’s right. Everyone knows how much France has invested in supporting the Ottomans. Nevertheless, the situation in Persia has stagnated, and France is certain to blame the Empire for this.”

At this point, the Second Minister, who had been listening, joined the conversation.

“I understand that they blame the Empire, but isn’t attacking Gibraltar going too far? The Empire won’t stand idly by if that happens.”

At the Second Minister’s point, the Third Minister next to him also joined the conversation.

“I wonder if that’s precisely what they’re aiming for.”

“Aiming for that? Explain further.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

At João II’s request, the Third Minister explained his reasoning.

–Looking at the current situation in Persia, Iran is the visible player, but the three Eastern countries are supporting them from behind.

–The Empire’s role is to provide military supplies needed for the war.

–Thanks to the Empire’s substantial support, the Persian front has reached a stalemate.

–If the Empire becomes involved in a war outside of Persia, support for Iran will be significantly reduced or halted.

–If that happens, the situation on the Persian front will shift in favor of the Ottomans.

João II nodded at the Third Minister’s explanation, but the Duke of Coimbra expressed doubt.

“That sounds plausible, but can France’s power truly challenge the Empire? Even while supporting the Ottomans? Recalling the last Italian war, I find it hard to believe.”

The Second Minister and João II also nodded at the Duke of Coimbra’s words.

The Empire was the strongest country in terms of national power and military might, encompassing both East and West.

No matter how much France prided itself on being the strongest country in Europe, it couldn’t possibly stand up to the Empire. At the Duke of Coimbra’s point, the Third Minister readily nodded but didn’t abandon his line of thought.

“What the First Minister says is also true. However, we must recognize that the situation is completely different compared to the last Italian war. The last Italian war was like France performing on a stage that the Empire had meticulously planned and prepared in advance. But this time, the Empire is caught off guard. It is true that the Empire is a strong country, but if it is caught unprepared, do you think it will be able to respond effectively? And what if France’s intention isn’t to win a war with the Empire, but to prevent the Empire from focusing on Persia?”

“…….”

Although the Third Minister had finished speaking, no one responded. But inwardly, they were thinking along similar lines.

‘That makes sense!’

As silence lingered, the Second Minister spoke.

“If France succeeds in capturing Gibraltar in the early stages, and the Ottomans defeat Iran in Persia… Is it a matter of negotiation then?”

The Duke of Coimbra elaborated on the Second Minister’s point.

“It would be negotiation. The Empire is known to dislike ‘unnecessary spending of money and shedding of blood.’ If France proposes to return Gibraltar in exchange for guaranteed passage from the Ottomans to Persia, the Empire is likely to accept it.”

João II and the other ministers simultaneously nodded at the ‘France’s intention’ that the Duke of Coimbra had surmised.

–Although the Empire is a strong country, an unexpected war is never easy.

–The Empire values honor and trust, but it is also known for valuing practicality as much as, or even more than, those principles.

–Considering these tendencies of the Empire and the reason why the Empire occupied Gibraltar, the possibility of rejecting France’s negotiation proposal is low.

“So, they’re planning to strike the Empire from behind, create some chaos, and then say, ‘Oh, sorry, sorry,’ and call it even? While taking advantage of the Empire’s distraction to rob another house?”

“Although the expression is somewhat informal, that seems to be France’s intention, Your Majesty.”

“Hmm…..”

After considering the Duke of Coimbra’s answer, João II looked back at the ministers.

“To summarize, France is planning a short-term war to divert the Empire’s attention, so what if we also take action? Then our friendship with the Empire will deepen even further, wouldn’t it?”

The Duke of Coimbra pointed out the flaw in João II’s proposal.

“The problem is Spain. Looking at the movements of Spain and France now, this is definitely not a coincidence.”

“Ah….”

At the Duke of Coimbra’s words, João II and the other ministers simultaneously sighed.

“Those damn old-fashioned guys…..”

For the Portuguese, Spain was a nation of old-fashioned people.

–They still cling to conservative Catholic doctrines, and while they publicly despise commerce and industry, they secretly covet wealth.

This was how the Portuguese viewed the Spanish.

Conversely, to the Spanish, the Portuguese were ‘traitors who wouldn’t be satisfied even if they were eaten alive.’ The Duke of Coimbra continued to speak.

“Until now, the border has been quiet because Spain has been focusing on the Imperial forces occupying Gibraltar. However, if France engages the Empire’s forces in Gibraltar, Spain is likely to covet our territory.”

“So, it’s not a problem of someone else’s house, but a problem for our own house?”

“Although the expression is a bit informal, that’s correct, Your Majesty.”