Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 1171

1171. The Calamity Came from the Sea (7)

The death of Ferdinand II significantly altered the political landscape in Spain.

The Cortes [Spanish parliament] recognized Carlos I, Juana’s son, as the rightful heir to royal power.

Even with Hyang’s interventions changing history, the Habsburgs’ marriage diplomacy unfolded similarly.

However, the family tree had undergone subtle alterations. This stemmed from France’s annexation of the Duchy of Burgundy occurring more swiftly than anticipated, which influenced Maximilian I’s choice of partner.

Regardless, through arranged marriage, Carlos I—later known as Charles V of the Holy Roman Empire—secured his claim to the Spanish throne.

Previously, due to Carlos I’s minority, Ferdinand II had wielded power as regent.

But with Ferdinand II’s passing, Carlos I, now of age, ascended to become the monarch of Spain—though initially, largely a figurehead.

Carlos I was keenly aware of his situation and patiently waited for an opportune moment to assert his authority.

However, irrespective of his long-term political ambitions, he needed to address the escalating crisis in southwestern Spain.

Consequently, both the Cortes and Carlos I dispatched messengers to the Duke of Alba, entrusting him with resolving the situation.

* * *

“‘Proceed with armistice negotiations,’ is it…”

Having read the order from Valladolid, the Duke of Alba drained his brandy glass and exhaled deeply.

“Hoo〜.”

Re-examining the order’s contents, he turned to his aides.

“Can we realistically hold out any longer?”

“It’s impossible, Your Grace.”

At this stark assessment, the Duke of Alba, seemingly resigned, adopted a detached demeanor and issued his command.

“Send a messenger to the Imperial Army, signaling our desire to commence armistice negotiations.”

“Understood, Your Grace.”

“I’ll draft the formal document immediately.”

The following day, after receiving and verifying the letter bearing the Duke of Alba’s seal, the Ground Operations Commander addressed his staff.

“It’s time to conclude this affair. However, we can’t simply let them off the hook. Find someone suitable to bear the brunt of the negotiations. Hmm… the Spanish army commander would be ideal.”

“But surely they’ll insist on Your Excellency’s presence as well.”

“A few more sharp blows, and they’ll soon lower their demands.”

“Understood, Your Excellency.”

* * *

Subsequently, messengers shuttled between the two camps to coordinate logistics, and negotiations commenced five days after the Duke of Alba’s initial overture.

A tent was erected on an open plain east of Seville, where the Duke of Alba and the Imperial Army Ground Operations Commander convened.

“I am Alba Gallego Nunez, Commander of the Spanish Army and Marquis of La Mancha.”

“I am Jowan, Defender and Baron of the Empire, commanding the ground operations of this punitive war.”

Upon hearing Jowan’s introduction through the interpreter, the Duke of Alba’s brow furrowed.

“A punitive war? Punitive, you say? And merely a Baron?”

Observing the Duke of Alba’s reaction, Jowan promptly instructed the interpreter.

“Translate every word that bastard mutters, without omission.”

“Yes, Your Excellency…”

After hearing the translation, Jowan abruptly rose from his seat and turned to leave.

Just before exiting the tent, he glanced back at the Duke of Alba and stated in halting Latin.

“Again. War.”

With that, Jowan stormed out, leaving the Duke of Alba momentarily speechless before erupting in fury.

“Have you ever encountered such insolence!”

Witnessing the Duke of Alba’s uncontrolled rage, one of his aides, familiar with the Empire, cautiously spoke.

“There’s an old saying: be wary of those who receive titles without being born into the Imperial family.”

* * *

Imperial citizens, and those with some knowledge of the Empire, held this view of the Empire’s nobility.

-If you encounter nobles not of the Yi clan [the Imperial family], exercise extreme caution.

They are the most ruthless of all.

As in any nation, those who earned titles outside the Imperial lineage were individuals whose abilities had been recognized and rewarded.

Consequently, their pride matched their capabilities.

Therefore, any slight regarding their titles—these ‘Dragon Ascended’ nobles, as they were commonly known—could trigger significant repercussions.

It wasn’t that these individuals engaged in blatant ‘gapjil’ [abuse of power].

Detailed regulations governing noble conduct were enshrined in legal codes, both formal and informal.

Violations were treated as serious offenses, potentially leading to title confiscation in severe cases.

Instead, the Dragon Ascended nobles addressed slights or challenges through their work. Demotions were unheard of.

They invariably dealt with matters through their official duties.

And they dealt with them directly, personally.

This consistent pattern led Imperial citizens to perceive the Dragon Ascended nobles as the most formidable and unforgiving.

However, hereditary nobles didn’t have an easy life either.

This was due to a tradition, initiated by Sejong and continued by Hyang.

-You have to earn your keep (or medicine money), right? This tradition mandated that hereditary nobles also perform public duties across various sectors.

What made it even more challenging was their intolerance of idleness among their relatives.

-I’m working hard, so I can’t stand seeing you loafing around!

Unofficial accounts suggest that Han Myeong-hoe’s recommendation of Kwon Ram marked the beginning of this custom.

Consequently, even nobles with a penchant for leisure were compelled to work in the Comprehensive Entertainment Agency.

There was one way for hereditary nobles to avoid public service.

-Pursue your business interests outside and pay substantial taxes! Then we’ll leave you alone!

* * *

Thanks to the Duke of Alba’s inadvertent provocation of Jowan, the war reignited, and the Imperial and Swiss armies intensified their devastation of southern Spain.

Portugal, seizing the opportunity, crossed the border and rapidly advanced to occupy Seville.

In response, the increasingly desperate Duke of Alba continued to dispatch messengers, but Jowan ignored them and pressed on with the “punishment.”

As the situation worsened, Valladolid sent urgent messages to the Duke of Alba.

-We must prevent further deterioration!

-If the situation escalates, the parliament and the king will hold you accountable!

The Duke of Alba, facing a growing threat to his position, practically begged to resume negotiations.

Jowan then presented his conditions to the Duke of Alba.

-I will only engage in negotiations with someone authorized to represent the King of Spain and the Parliament. Upon hearing Jowan’s terms, the Duke of Alba visibly brightened and immediately contacted Valladolid.

“The Imperial commander disrespected Your Excellency, yet you seem pleased?”

At his aide’s observation, the Duke of Alba smiled faintly and replied.

“Doesn’t this mean I’m no longer responsible? If I can avoid being a scapegoat, I can endure this humiliation.”

The influential figures in Valladolid, making similar calculations, engaged in a rare display of mutual concession.

After intense negotiations, the individual selected to represent Spain departed Valladolid only after receiving an official pardon signed by Carlos I and the Speaker of the Cortes.

* * *

The newly arrived Spanish representative and Jowan proceeded with the armistice negotiations.

“These are the conditions for the armistice proposed by our Empire.”

Jowan presented the letter from Duke Yiche to the Spanish representative.

-A surrender document bearing the handwritten signatures and seals of the Spanish monarch and all members of the Cortes, along with a formal apology.

-Clear recognition of Gibraltar and Algeciras as Imperial territory.

-Compensation equivalent to 150% of the Empire’s war expenses.

-Withdrawal of Spanish forces surrounding Gibraltar and Algeciras to a distance of 10 leagues (approximately 42 km) and dismantling of existing military installations. The Spanish representative perspired as he reviewed Duke Yiche’s demands.

“We can accept the other conditions to some extent, but the territorial recognition and the compensation… are extremely problematic.”

They had consistently asserted that ‘Gibraltar and Algeciras are rightfully Spanish territories,’ and the war had been initiated under the pretext of ‘recovering lost territories.’ Explicitly acknowledging these regions as Imperial territory would undoubtedly plunge Spain into political turmoil.
The compensation issue was equally daunting. The difficulty lay in verifying the accuracy of the Empire’s claimed war expenses. Even if accurate, the sheer scale of the Empire’s consumption during the war suggested an astronomical figure.

‘But 150% of those expenses?’ It was almost certain that the Spanish economy would collapse into an irreversible crisis.

Upon hearing the Spanish representative’s reservations, Jowan sneered and retorted.

“Huh! Did we initiate this conflict? There’s an Eastern saying, ‘The one who tied the knot must untie it.’ If you start something, shouldn’t you bear the responsibility?”

“Even so…..”

“Then the war continues.”

“But isn’t the purpose of these negotiations to avoid that very outcome!”

“Then you should accept the conditions, shouldn’t you?”

“Alright! Let’s revisit this point later! Instead, what will you do about the Portuguese army that has crossed the border and is currently advancing?”

“Direct your inquiries to Portugal.”

“How irresponsible!”

“We received notification of the Portuguese navy’s involvement, but not of their army’s. Therefore, our Empire considers this to be Portugal’s independent action.”

Ultimately, after repeated appeals and threats, Spain conceded to the Empire’s terms.

“At least we can pay the war reparations in 10 installments…..”

The Spanish representative, resigned to his fate, could only find solace in that small concession.

As time passed, Jowan, having received the official surrender document adorned with ribbons and bearing the signatures and seals of Carlos I and the Cortes, signed the agreement and affixed his seal.

As the signing ceremony drew to a close, the Spanish representative posed a question to Jowan.

“Is it the Empire’s official position that Portugal’s actions in the Seville region are solely Portugal’s responsibility?”

“Indeed.”

“Then what will the Empire do if an armed conflict erupts between Spain and Portugal?”

At the Spanish representative’s inquiry, Jowan responded with a cynical expression.

“Do you possess the military strength to confront Portugal?”

“That is…..”

“I suggest you pursue negotiations. It’s purely coincidental, but….. I received a letter from the Duke just this morning.”

“This morning?”

“This morning.”

“What does it say?”

At the Spanish representative’s words, Jowan retrieved the letter from Yiche from his pocket and unfolded it.

-Official notification has been received that the Portuguese army has been dispatched to assist the Empire’s ground operations.

-Therefore, the Portuguese army will also be under the command of the Imperial army.

-However, a request has been made to recognize Portugal’s priority regarding the areas occupied by their forces.

-Therefore, the Imperial Army Commander should not interfere in this matter.

-It is recommended that this be coordinated directly between Portugal and Spain.

-However, bear in mind that the Empire and Portugal maintain a formal military alliance.

“…..That’s all.”

Having heard Duke Yiche’s decision, or rather, the Empire’s decision, through Jowan, the Spanish representative placed his hand on his forehead in disappointment.

“It arrived at just the right moment.”

“It wasn’t intentional, but it’s a fortunate coincidence.”

“Hoo.”

The Spanish representative sighed deeply. The Empire’s message was clear.

-Resolve the matter with Portugal yourselves.

-But remember that Portugal is our ally, and we won’t tolerate any harm coming to them. Consider your actions carefully.