Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 1174

1174 Aftermath (2)

The ‘Catherine of Aragon scandal’ caused a stir in European affairs, but its impact was less intense than expected.

The primary reason was that Catherine’s marriage was a political alliance driven by international considerations.

There had been disputes over the dowry between Henry VII and Ferdinand II. She became a widow—though not truly, as the marriage was unconsummated—due to the death of Prince Arthur, Henry VII’s heir and first husband.

Afterward, she failed to produce a male heir with Henry VIII, and with Joanna ‘the Mad’ recognized as Queen of Spain, Catherine’s value diminished significantly. Ultimately, it was concluded that Catherine’s actions stemmed from dissatisfaction due to marital discord and a misguided attempt to prove her worth to her homeland.

Of course, even after this, controversies regarding the scandal and differing evaluations of Catherine continued to surface whenever the opportunity arose.

‘It wasn’t a misguided judgment but an expression of patriotism!’

‘Catherine was renowned for her wit. Catherine is a saint of patriotism!’

The next reason was the weakening of Spain.

In the original timeline, before Hyang’s intervention, Spain spearheaded the Age of Exploration, acquiring vast colonies. Subsequently, Spain accumulated immense wealth through active, or rather, harsh colonial management.

However, in the history altered by Hyang’s intervention, Spain only held minor colonies in a few places like Terra and Gloria, except for Africa, where they had established a presence early on.

Furthermore, Italy still dominated Mediterranean trade, so Spain did not benefit significantly from the region.

This weakened Aragon, one of the pillars of the Spanish联合王国 [United Kingdom], turning Spain into a largely inland agricultural country.

Around the time when the ‘love and war’ between Henry VIII and Catherine was tragically concluding, the situation in France was steadily deteriorating. And, of course, the Empire was subtly involved.

Though not entirely intentionally.

* * *

As war broke out between the Empire and France, problems arose with the Suez Canal construction.

The Empire blockaded the construction site, preventing French intervention.

Despite this, construction continued under the Empire’s supervision, meaning costs continued to mount.

Consequently, the Empire sent notices to ‘most’ of the countries with shares.

-We will proceed with the second share offering as previously announced.

-This is in accordance with the articles of association, so direct inquiries or complaints to the Canal Development Committee.

Here, the member states of the existing ‘Suez Railway Management Committee’ remained members of the ‘Canal Development Committee,’ with Ming and Japan also holding seats.

And a fatal trap lay hidden within this arrangement.

The share structure was almost identical to the existing Suez Railway share structure, meaning the Empire held nearly a majority of the shares.

Thanks to this, as soon as the war broke out, the Empire joined forces with Portugal, Italy, Ming, and Japan to proceed with everything according to its wishes. France and the Ottoman Empire were only notified after the fact, once the public offering was completed.

The Empire was very considerate, diligently adding such sentences to the end of the notification.

-This is the result of a vote by the Steering Committee.

With the Empire, Portugal, and Italy joining forces to secure a majority of the shares, the vote was merely a formality. In any case, through this vote, the second share offering proceeded, and other participating countries, excluding France and the Ottoman Empire, secured their shares through active investment.

On the other hand, the proportion of shares held by France and the Ottoman Empire decreased significantly.

In other words, the profits that France and the Ottoman Empire expected to receive from the canal’s revenue after its opening were significantly reduced.

And the notification announcing the start and end of the second public offering was delivered just after the end of the war was declared.

* * *

When this notification became known, it sent the French nobles and capitalists who had invested in the Suez Canal into an uproar.

“What is going on!”

As angry investors flocked in upon hearing the rumors, the French Suez Canal officials were sweating profusely, trying to calm them down.

“Now, calm down……”

“Calm down, you say! We knew there would be a second public offering! Then you should have told us when it would be! We know that we need to participate in the second public offering to secure our shares, don’t we!”

“We know, we know very well.”

“Then why!”

“Because the Empire blockaded it……”

At the official’s words, the French investors turned their anger toward the French king and political circles.

“Why wage a war for nothing!”

“If you’re going to do politics like this, then quit!”

Faced with the investors’ anger, Louis XII and his ministers sighed deeply.

“Damn it……”

Louis XII, who spat out a curse, asked his ministers.

“Isn’t it legally questionable to proceed with the second public offering excluding us and the Ottomans?”

At Louis XII’s question, the ministers shook their heads and replied.

“Of course, legally speaking, we have grounds to argue. However, according to the relevant regulations, objections and rulings on them are to be made by the committee. The problem is……”

As the Minister of Finance trailed off, Louis XII finished the sentence.

“That committee is in the hands of the Empire. Damn it! Empire, Empire, Empire! This damn Empire! Whenever I try to do something, the Empire is always involved!”

At Louis XII’s outburst, the ministers all muttered inwardly.

‘That’s what I’m saying.’

‘Why wage a war……’

“More damned than those damned guys in England!”

Louis XII shuddered.

The Empire, which he had directly experienced since the last Italian War of Independence, was truly cunning.

With powerful military and economic strength, and the diplomatic leverage based on it, the Empire shaped the world to its liking.

“To widely benefit humanity? Humph! It must mean to widely benefit the Empire!”

Louis XII mocked the Empire’s national motto, ‘Hongik Ingan’ [Benefit All Mankind].

However, compared to the history before Hyang’s intervention, the Empire had a significantly positive impact on countries and natives outside of Europe.

After denouncing the Empire for a long time, Louis XII finally came to a conclusion.

“There is a mastermind behind all of this! And that mastermind is certain! It’s the ‘Demon King’ Lee Hyang!”

“Your Majesty!”

When Louis XII mentioned Lee Hyang, ministers, including Francis I, hurriedly tried to stop Louis XII’s remarks.

During this period, the following joke was circulating in European political circles.

-To curse the Demon King Lee Hyang is to declare war on the Empire.

-No, even calling him ‘Demon King’ is the same as declaring war.

And a similar joke was circulating among the people of Europe.

—There are two ways to make even the kindest imperial citizen go berserk and fight. One is to curse his parents, and the other is to curse the Demon King.

Interestingly, there were Europeans who were as furious as the Empire about this nickname ‘Demon King,’ and most of them were European scholars.

“Where did you get the word ‘Demon King’ from!”

“There is no one more suited to be called a ‘Philosopher King’ than him!”

* * *

“Hoo.”

Regaining his senses at the ministers’ dissuasion, Louis XII organized his emotions with a long sigh and opened his mouth.

“What does it matter who is behind it? The most urgent problem now is to escape the crisis we are facing.”

“That’s right.”

“But it’s not easy.”

“We may have to walk a dangerous tightrope.”

Louis XII nodded at the ministers’ realistic assessment.

“I suppose so. I bet too much.”

Looking at the current situation in France, it was a situation of ‘I thought it was a winning hand, but it was a losing hand.’

“What is the situation in the Ottoman Empire?”

At Louis XII’s question, Francis I, who was in charge of diplomacy, replied in a gloomy voice.

“The Ottoman Empire has also started negotiations with Iran. It seems that an independent state will be established as a buffer zone bordering Iran.”

“So the Ottoman Empire has been pushed back?”

“Yes.”

At Francis I’s answer, Louis XII asked again.

“Even though the Empire, with its eyes on Gibraltar, has withdrawn, they have been pushed back by Iran?”

“Ming was also formidable.”

“Isn’t it famous that the things Ming makes are of poor quality?”

As Louis XII said, the things Ming made were famous for their poor quality. However, the price was definitely cheap, so there were quite a few people who sought them out.

At Louis XII’s point, Francis I immediately replied.

“Instead, they pushed in a huge amount. Rumor has it that they pushed in so much that when something broke down, they didn’t fix it but immediately threw it away and brought in a new one.”

“Damn it…. Then, how was Japan?”

“It seems that Japan also took some profit, but it is rumored that it was inferior compared to Ming and the Empire.”

“Hmm…..”

At Francis I’s answer, Louis XII stroked his chin and muttered.

“Japan is caught between the two monsters of the East, the Empire and Ming….. Can’t we use them?”

At Louis XII’s muttering, Francis I’s eyes changed.

“Are you thinking of destabilizing the East through Japan?”

“Wouldn’t Japan also have many complaints? And, how long can we keep being pushed back by the East?”

“That’s true.”

As Francis I also nodded, the Minister of Finance gave a sharp remark.

“Being pushed back by the East is not a matter of today or yesterday. The most urgent problem now is dealing with those who are raising their voices in front of the Louvre Palace and restoring the ports that have turned into ruins. If I may be so bold…. Your Majesty, worrying about whether you will be thrown into the Seine River by rioters should come first.”

At the Minister of Finance’s sharp remark, Louis XII replied with a bitter smile.

“I was tired of that worry and was thinking about something else for a moment, did you have to point that out?”

“I have to.”

“Okay….. What is the most important problem right now?”

“We should apologize for the Suez issue. After all, when the canal is completed, those who have shares will receive dividends. Of course, not as much as the investors wanted, but still.”

“That’s right. So it’s the port?”

“Yes. Goods are still coming and going through Italy. This is only benefiting Italy. Therefore, the restoration of the port is necessary.”

At the Minister of Finance’s words, Louis XII pointed out the problem.

“That’s true, but isn’t the problem money?”

“We have no choice but to borrow.”

“What about raising taxes?”

“There will be a rebellion, not a riot.”

“Hoo.”

Louis XII, who let out a long sigh, asked the Minister of Finance briefly.

“From where?”

“Italy, or the Empire.”

At the Minister of Finance’s answer, Louis XII put his hand on his forehead.

“Is the Empire coming out again here?”

As Louis XII openly expressed his reluctance, Francis I slyly asked the Minister of Finance.

“Is it impossible to raise funds internally?”

“You will have to give up a lot. You wouldn’t want that, would you? And…. Hoo〜.”

The Minister of Finance paused for a moment, took a sigh, and continued.

“Even if you raise funds internally like that, it is impossible to cover all the restoration funds. The conclusion is that we have to bring it from outside.”

“So it’s the Empire?”

“So it’s the Empire.”