Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 608

608. Inauguration and Abdication (1)

Subdued by the pressure from the Royal Guards, the three envoys arrived at the entrance of Geunjeongjeon Hall.

Guided by a court eunuch, the three entered Geunjeongjeon Hall and walked toward King Sejong.

Following their respective customs, the three respectfully bowed and addressed Sejong in unison.

“We congratulate you on your great victory and wish your kingdom boundless prosperity.”

“I am grateful that you have come despite the long and arduous journey. I have heard that your countries are also experiencing difficulties due to the war. I sincerely hope for a swift end to the conflict and your victory.”

“Thank you.”

* * *

After exchanging pleasantries and presenting the gifts they had brought to Sejong, the three envoys left Geunjeongjeon Hall.

“Hoo~.”

Once outside Geunjeongjeon Hall, the three exhaled deeply, as if finally able to breathe. Mehmed II, looking slightly weary, spoke up.

“I have never encountered anyone as formidable as my father, except for him, but it seems I have met another like him here.”

The other two nodded in agreement, having felt similarly.

‘Is this the aura of all rulers?’

“Indeed, he is a man capable of achieving victory against that mighty Khitai, or rather, Ming now? That vast empire.”

Henrique nodded at Giovanni’s words before changing the subject.

“I also found the First Prince of Joseon to be quite remarkable. What do you think?”

Mehmed II immediately responded to Henrique’s question.

“Another lion. If the current King of Joseon is a slightly aging lion, then the prince felt like a lion in his prime.”

Giovanni nodded at Mehmed II’s assessment.

“I agree. It was clear at a glance that he was no ordinary man.”

“Therefore, I believe this country has much to worry about.”

“Huh?”

“Why?”

At Mehmed II’s unexpected remark, Henrique and Giovanni simultaneously expressed their confusion. Mehmed glanced back at Geunjeongjeon Hall before continuing.

“In a pride of lions, there can only be one dominant lion, can there not? As you all know, a ruler’s greatest enemy is his own successor.”

“Ah….”

Henrique and Giovanni nodded at Mehmed II’s words.

It was customary for those in power not to share it. Conversely, the successor of a ruler harbored the ambition to seize that power as quickly as possible.

Consequently, power struggles between kings and their sons often ended in horrific bloodshed.

However, the current situation in Joseon was significantly different. No, it was entirely different.

If the officials of Joseon were to hear this, most would scoff.

“His Majesty and the Crown Prince in a power struggle? As if!”

“If His Majesty says there will be no abdication, the Crown Prince is the type to shout ‘Long live His Majesty!’ on the spot!”

“You should add, ‘And maybe a little more budget….’”

“And then comes ‘Get out! You rascal!’”

The Joseon officials were well aware of the dynamic between Sejong, who tried to assign work, and Hyang, who tried to avoid it as much as possible.

“They would never fight like that!”

* * *

After concluding their audience, the three returned to their lodgings. Instead of resting, they visited the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Heo Hu, who greeted the three, offered them seats and got straight to the point.

Sharing refreshments prepared by a staff member of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Heo Hu immediately delved into the matter.

“So, what brings the esteemed guests from the West to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs?”

Henrique stepped forward to answer Heo Hu’s question.

“We wish to lay a railway connecting Suez and the Mediterranean.”

“A railway?”

“Indeed.”

At those words, Heo Hu’s mind began to race.

‘The war they instigated was not merely for the monopoly of trade routes!’

Realizing the reason for the war between Portugal, the Ottoman Empire, and Florence, Heo Hu suddenly broke out in a cold sweat.

‘The Crown Prince was right again!’

* * *

When the story of an international war in the Mediterranean region reached them, a debate arose among Hyang and the ministers regarding the cause of the war.

At the time, the ministers speculated that the cause of the war was:

‘Securing the trade route connecting Suez and Alexandria.’

Hyang offered a slightly different opinion to the ministers.

‘Securing the trade route is correct, but it will not be the existing trade route. They will likely try to lay a railway or a canal.’

Hyang explained the reason as follows:

“With the current volume of trade, not all those involved in the war can be satisfied. For them all to be satisfied, a much larger volume must move. This is impossible with the current transportation methods. What can make this possible are only two things: a railway or a canal.”

The ministers wore skeptical expressions at Hyang’s words. Hwang Hui, on behalf of the ministers, asked Hyang.

“In that case, wouldn’t there be no need to aim for Alexandria? Securing the area between Suez and the Mediterranean would yield maximum effect with minimal losses, would it not?”

Hyang immediately responded to Hwang Hui’s point.

“Wouldn’t they need to eliminate their competitors? The merchants of Alexandria, that is. Furthermore, Alexandria and the regions to its east are the Nile Delta, the largest granary of the Mamluks [the ruling dynasty of Egypt at the time]. If they gain control of that area, they can also undermine the Mamluks.”

At Hyang’s words, the ministers still wore skeptical expressions.

Alexandria, the largest trading city in the Mediterranean, existed, and there were trade routes leading there. But to create a new trade route? Creating a new trade route would also require creating a new trading city. This would require enormous capital. Even if Portugal and the Ottoman Empire were allied—the involvement of Florence was unknown—it was a risky gamble that could bankrupt the nation if things went wrong.

Moreover, securing the Nile Delta would naturally follow if they secured the existing trade routes.

Looking at the ministers’ expressions, Hyang calmly concluded.

“Looking at the next 10 years, it may seem like madness, but looking ahead 100 years, or even beyond, it is a worthwhile investment.”

* * *

At the words, ‘We wish to lay a railway,’ Heo Hu immediately sent someone to the Ministry of Finance.

Upon receiving the message, Minister of Finance Park Jong-woo and First Vice Minister Lim Sun-wook rushed over.

As soon as the brief introductions were over, Park Jong-woo immediately got to the point.

“I hear you wish to lay a railway.”

“That is correct.”

“Could you tell us which area?”

“One moment….”

Henrique gave an order to his subordinate standing behind him. After some time, Henrique’s subordinate, breathing heavily, entered and handed Henrique a map scroll.

Henrique spread the map on the table in the meeting room and explained, drawing an imaginary straight line from Suez northward with his finger.

“We wish to lay a railway from Suez to here.”

Lim Sun-wook, after listening to Henrique’s explanation, pointed to the northern point in question.

“What is the name of this place?”

“It has none. There is only a small fishing village of about 20 households.”

“Where can we obtain fresh water on the way from Suez to this place?”

“Here, here, here, and here.”

Lim Sun-wook, examining the places Henrique pointed to, frowned.

“Hmm… This is….”

“Is there a problem?”

At Lim Sun-wook’s expression, Henrique and the other two became anxious.

Despite receiving Henrique’s question, Lim Sun-wook did not answer immediately and stared only at the map. After staring at the map for some time, Lim Sun-wook turned to Henrique.

“How about digging a canal instead of a railway?”

“A canal?”

Everyone except Lim Sun-wook fell into confusion at the completely unexpected answer.

“Why?”

At Henrique’s question, Lim Sun-wook explained in more detail.

“To properly operate a railway, you need fuel, but more than anything, you need clean fresh water. Considering the current performance of the railway, you would have to go through or pass by the closest of the water sources on the map, which would mean going considerably out of the way. In other words, the route you mentioned earlier is absolutely impossible.”

“We don’t mind going somewhat out of the way.”

Henrique backed down a step, but Lim Sun-wook shook his head again.

“The transportation of materials for laying the railway is also a problem. You have to carry not only the railway itself but also the steel tracks to be laid on the railway. There is no big problem with loading and departing from our Joseon, but the problem is when you arrive. How will you unload it, and how will you transport it to the site? Let me tell you in advance, neither the railway nor the tracks can be moved by one or two cows.”

“Oh….”

Henrique, after hearing Lim Sun-wook’s explanation through the interpreter, argued with an incredulous expression.

“Is it really impossible?”

“The position I held before was the president of the railway corporation. I am confident that I know the most about railways and trains among those present here.”

Henrique and his party were dismayed to hear Lim Sun-wook’s answer.

The Joseon officials felt the same way.

‘It was an opportunity to do something big!’

Park Jong-woo, unable to hide his disappointment, asked Lim Sun-wook.

“In the end, is a canal the only answer?”

“That is correct.”

Heo Hu sighed deeply at Lim Sun-wook’s answer.

“Hoo~. Looking at the canals in Ming, they seem quite complicated….”

Park Jong-woo also nodded at Heo Hu’s words.

The canals they knew were very complicated. If the area through which the canal passed was not flat, locks and waterwheels were essential, and floods were also a problem, as were droughts. In addition, the sediment that accumulated every day had to be carefully cleaned.

Seeing the dismayed expressions of Henrique’s party, Heo Hu, and Park Jong-woo, Lim Sun-wook asked again.

“Are there many villages around the route you set earlier?”

“No, it’s all desert.”

“Are there differences in elevation in the desert?”

“As far as I know, there are many sand dunes, but it is basically flat.”

“There are no mountains or valleys?”

“That is correct.”

At Henrique’s answer, Lim Sun-wook answered with even more confidence.

“Then a canal is the best option.”

“Huh?”

“Why?”

When everyone expressed their doubts, Lim Sun-wook explained the reason.

-There are no houses around the route designated by Henrique, and there are no mountains or valleys on the plains. This means that you can take a direct route without having to go back and forth.

-Based on the above conditions, the depth and width of the canal can also be set arbitrarily. This means that ships can go directly to the Mediterranean region without having to unload at Suez.

-Finally, Suez is in the Red Sea, and the destination is in the Mediterranean Sea. This means that there is no need to worry about drought or floods because the sea is the water source.

“Incredible!”

“Such a method!”

The faces of Henrique’s party brightened at Lim Sun-wook’s explanation. However, Heo Hu poured cold water on it.

“That would be a huge undertaking. Is it really possible? At least hundreds of thousands of people would have to be mobilized?”

Henrique’s party, after hearing Heo Hu’s story through the interpreter, also looked at Lim Sun-wook with similar expressions.

However, Lim Sun-wook immediately replied with an expression that it was nothing.

“Of course, a lot of manpower will be needed, but don’t we have excavators [likely referring to some form of early earth-moving machinery]?”

At Lim Sun-wook’s answer, the Joseon officials simultaneously clapped their knees and exclaimed.

“Aha!”