Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 617

617. The Beginning of the Empire – A Day Like Yesterday (5)

Kim Jeom stroked his chin, observing Henrique and his party’s reactions, and asked,

“Why? Is there a problem?”

Giovanni, nearly grabbing Kim Jeom by the collar, reacting to his nonchalant tone, snapped,

“Do you think 40% makes sense?”

“Why wouldn’t it? We’re supplying weapons at half price for a war that could last indefinitely, and we’ll receive the payment in installments over three years. Furthermore, whether it’s laying waterways or railroads, it’s certain to be a massive construction project involving vast amounts of materials and equipment. Joseon is supplying the materials and equipment for that construction, and you think 40% is too much? Our officials initially wanted to demand more than 50%, but His Majesty decided that 40% would be beneficial for everyone. What’s the problem?”

Henrique responded to Kim Jeom’s words.

“We’re shedding blood, and you’re just providing weapons and capital from behind, taking that much?”

Giovanni and Mehmed II nodded in agreement with Henrique.

The Joseon officials who saw their reactions all thought the same thing.

‘How can they be saying exactly what His Majesty predicted?’

* * *

In a discussion about the joint venture proposal, Hyang had said the following to Sejong and his ministers:

“If we make such a proposal, they will not easily accept it. We must be prepared for quite a difficult debate.”

Sejong, rather, expressed doubt at Hyang’s words.

“Isn’t that obvious? Bargaining is common sense, even when buying something at the market, is it not?”

“It’s more important than bargaining; their honor and justification, which they value, are at stake, making it difficult.”

“Honor and justification?”

Hyang explained in more detail.

“Since the days when the great Roman Empire ruled, they have believed that only those who shed blood with them are their allies. Or, should I say, blood brothers?”

‘Well, even in the 21st century, there were Japanese people who said that Korea is America’s blood brother, and Japan is just an ally.’

Sejong nodded at Hyang’s explanation, which continued with various examples, but did not forget to point out,

“I remember reading similar stories in those Westerners’ books. But how can that be said to be a characteristic only of the Westerners? Isn’t it human nature that those who fight together on the battlefield and shed blood have a stronger relationship than others? Of course, those who provide support from behind so they can fight properly will also have a good relationship, but it will feel lacking compared to those who rolled around on the battlefield together.”

“That is true. But….”

Before Hyang could offer a rebuttal, Sejong continued,

“And, Your Majesty has forgotten something. The war they waged, it was not a war we wanted to start, was it?”

“That is true, but I wonder if they will think that way….”

At Hyang’s words, Sejong looked at Hwang Hee and Kim Jeom and continued,

“Isn’t it the job of the ministers to make them accept it, even if they don’t think that way?”

At Sejong’s words, starting with Hwang Hee, the ministers gathered in the conference room lowered their heads to the floor and muttered inwardly.

‘If it weren’t for those damn sons, I would have already resigned! Because of those damn sons, I have to suffer until I die without being able to resign!’

‘Should I resign? Should I? I will!’

* * *

When Henrique mentioned ‘blood’ and questioned him, Kim Jeom, instead, asked back with a puzzled expression.

“Is that blood shed because our nation demanded it?”

Henrique was speechless at Kim Jeom’s question. Kim Jeom looked at Henrique, Giovanni, and Mehmed II and continued,

“From our nation’s perspective, we are only suffering enormous losses due to the war that your countries suddenly started. Therefore, we wanted to stop it, but we were only standing by due to the distance and the issue with Ming. But now that we have resolved the issue with Ming, we are also planning to resolve the issue in the Suez region. Now! In that sense, I would like to ask. Our nation is suffering severe losses due to the war that your countries have waged, so how do you plan to resolve this?”

The three began to sweat at Kim Jeom’s counterattack.

There was no mistake in what that sly old man Kim Jeom was saying.

The war in the Suez region was not a war that Joseon wanted to wage.

Also, it was true that Joseon was suffering severe losses due to the blockade of the trade route between Suez and Alexandria. Therefore, Joseon, or rather the Empire, could demand compensation.

Of course, considering the distance between the Empire and the Mediterranean, some might argue that even if they demanded compensation, they could simply ignore it.

However, for those who knew even a little about the Empire, like Henrique, it was an unacceptable countermeasure.

The Empire’s influence east of Suez was absolute. In particular, the Empire’s navy virtually dominated the seas east of Suez.

If the Empire, with its twisted heart, were to block the sea route, all the work they had done so far would be in vain.

Henrique’s face suddenly turned pale as he thought that far.

‘That’s not all!’

If the Empire, with its properly twisted heart, chose Spain and the Mamluks and handed those weapons over to them, the worst could happen.

Not only the Suez region, but in the worst case, Portugal itself could fall to Spain.

In the end, Henrique had to stammer and change the subject.

“Of, of course, we deeply regret that the recent conflict has caused severe damage to your country. However, we think that a 40% stake is more than we expected.”

“Is your country capable of paying for the necessary weapons? You do know that the conditions I mentioned earlier only apply if you accept our nation’s proposal, right? And do you have enough funds to build the trade route afterward? Of course, trade routes are possible even without railroads or waterways. But can you make a profit with goods carried by only a few dozen horses or camels?”

“…”

Henrique and his party could not give a proper answer to Kim Jeom’s detailed points.

In the end, Henrique and Giovanni had to pass the responsibility to someone else.

“Your country’s proposal is not something we can decide on our own, so we will return to our home country and get an answer.”

“As you wish.”

Kim Jeom, who answered briefly, looked at Mehmed II.

“Do you think the same way?”

Mehmed II gave a slightly different answer from Henrique and his party to Kim Jeom’s question.

“I also think that a 40% stake is a bit too much. However, if you accept my proposal from earlier, I promise to adjust it in the most positive direction possible.”

“Can I trust you?”

“As the Minister of Foreign Affairs said earlier, I am one of the candidates for the next Sultan.”

Kim Jeom, thinking for a moment at Mehmed II’s answer, nodded.

“I will report it to His Majesty as it is.”

“Thank you.”

Henrique and Giovanni felt frustrated hearing Mehmed II and Kim Jeom’s answers.

Ottoman was still playing the biggest role. If Ottoman and the Empire joined hands, Ottoman’s stake would certainly increase further.

However, they could not give a definite answer on the spot like Mehmed II. Regardless of what answer they gave, they were sure to receive all kinds of criticism back home the moment they gave a definite answer.

‘Frustrating, frustrating!’

* * *

Two days later, Kim Jeom visited the residence where Henrique and his party were staying.

Henrique and Giovanni hurriedly got up from their seats when they heard that Kim Jeom was looking for Mehmed II.

Kim Jeom, who entered the place where Henrique, Giovanni, and Mehmed II were gathered, immediately got to the point.

“His Majesty has made a decision. He has accepted your proposal. However, the condition is that you support the establishment of the joint venture and support our nation’s 40% stake.”

Mehmed II immediately answered Kim Jeom’s words.

“I accept.”

At Mehmed II’s answer, Kim Jeom gestured to his accompanying subordinate. At Kim Jeom’s gesture, the subordinate took out documents from the bag he was carrying.

“Here are the related treaty documents. Please sign them.”

Mehmed II, who took the golden pen that Kim Jeom handed over at the same time as his words, carefully examined the contents written on the paper.

As Mehmed II read through the contents, he had a troubled expression when he saw the letters written at the very bottom.

“I swear in the name of Allah to abide by all these conditions… Hooo~.”

“Why, is there a problem?”

“…”

Mehmed II did not answer and only looked down at the paper with a face full of anguish.

After staring at the paper like a stone statue for a long time, Mehmed II finally signed the paper.

Following that, Kim Jeom handed the golden pen to Henrique and Giovanni as well.

“I would like you to sign as notaries.”

“Of course!”

Henrique and Giovanni signed the request from Kim Jeom coolly. They felt good thinking about how Mehmed II would be in trouble with this one document.

Kim Jeom, who took the treaty, continued to speak to Mehmed II.

“As a gift to commemorate the promise, we will send you 4,000 Eulshik muskets, 50,000 first-generation bullets, 5 Hwachas [rocket artillery], and 30,000 second-generation bullets. Of course, instructors will also be on board to teach you how to use them on the way.”

The face of Mehmed II, who had been crumpled up, brightened up at Kim Jeom’s words.

“Thank you!”

“You’re welcome!”

* * *

Starting with Mehmed II, who was happy to receive a bundle of gifts, and Henrique and his party, who were troubled by seeing him, all the envoys who visited Joseon returned home.

Three days after all the envoys disappeared, Sejong, Hyang, and the ministers gathered at the shooting range located in Area 51.

“Today, I am standing here not as the Emperor, but as the development manager.”

Hyang, who was wearing the work clothes unique to Area 51 instead of the dragon robe, began his explanation with the above words.

“In the last war with Ming, a considerable number of Eulshik muskets, Hwachas, and shotguns fell into Ming’s hands. Ming will use any means to mass-produce those weapons. Therefore, we must arm our soldiers with more advanced weapons.”

All the attendees nodded at Hyang’s words.

After briefly quenching his thirst, Hyang continued.

“These are the new standard-issue muskets and Type A machine guns that the Imperial Army will use in the future.”

As soon as Hyang’s words were finished, the curtain covering Hyang’s back was removed. And behind the curtain were the new standard-issue muskets and Type A machine guns.

Hyang explained to Sejong one by one.

“The standard-issue musket allows you to load and fire five rounds at a time.”

After finishing the explanation, Hyang inserted a five-round clip into the magazine and pushed it in.

“And to load, just push this handle all the way forward.”

Hyang pushed the handle on the right side of the bolt all the way forward.

Clank!

After finishing loading, Hyang pulled the trigger towards the target on one side.

Bang!

Hyang then instantly fired the remaining four rounds as well. Sejong’s eyes lit up at the sight.

“It seems so simple, yet so miraculous! Loading is finished by pulling and pushing the handle! Truly amazing!”

“Thank you!”

Hyang, who bowed his head and answered Sejong’s praise, continued inwardly.

‘Thanks to you, I was able to do my *deokjil* [act of being a fan] properly! I also broke away from the cliché! If it were a cliché, it would have been a Mosin-Nagant, but it’s not!’

The new standard-issue musket that Hyang created was based on the M1896/11 used by the Swiss army.