Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 656

656. This Time, Firewood Too, and Lots of It. (2)

Before Giovanni departed for the Empire, envoys from the allied nations convened in Florence.

This was because France had announced its full-scale participation in the war. And France’s involvement was a variable significant enough to change the entire war situation.

Even at this time, France was a well-known military powerhouse. Moreover, it was overflowing with soldiers who had gained extensive combat experience through the Hundred Years’ War.

The envoy sent by Charles VII announced France’s decision at a meeting attended by Cosimo de’ Medici, Henrique, and Mehmed II.

“…Therefore, we plan to deploy 30,000 troops in the first wave.”

Henrique and Mehmed II, who had been listening to the envoy with sour expressions, spoke as soon as the envoy finished speaking.

“The first wave?”

“30,000 in the first wave? Is that even possible?”

In response to Henrique and Mehmed II’s questions, the French envoy replied with a confident expression.

“Including the first wave of 30,000, we are initially anticipating about 50,000 troops. Of course, if necessary, we can increase that number further.”

“Is it possible?”

Both Henrique and Mehmed II showed negative reactions.

* * *

According to the common knowledge of Europe and the Middle East at the time, mobilizing an army of the size mentioned by the French envoy had rarely occurred unless it was a total war involving the fate of the nation.

Although it was a thing of the past, even during the Crusades, when crusaders flocked from all over Europe with religious zeal, the number of crusaders ranged from 10,000 to 20,000. And in the history before Hyang’s involvement, the Ottoman army had around 50,000 to 80,000 troops when Constantinople was captured. Of course, there were claims that 300,000 troops were mobilized, but this was officially recognized as an exaggeration.

In this situation, the French envoy’s statement of ‘30,000 in the first wave, a total of 50,000, and more if necessary’ was simply unbelievable.

* * *

Although Portugal and the Ottoman Empire, the main forces of the alliance, openly expressed their disbelief, the French envoy remained confident.

“Even if it is impossible for other countries, it is possible for ‘Great France (la grande france).'”

This was not a mere boast from the French envoy. During the Battle of Agincourt, which marked a significant turning point in the Hundred Years’ War, France mobilized approximately 36,000 troops.

Of course, they suffered a major defeat against the English army, which numbered only 6,000 at the time.

However, Henrique and Mehmed II were not easily convinced.

“There will be strong opposition, won’t there? Is it going to be alright?”

In response to Henrique’s question, the French envoy showed an unpleasant expression and replied curtly.

“I appreciate your concern for France’s internal affairs, but that will not happen. The Estates-General [a representative assembly of the French clergy, nobility, and commoners] is also actively supporting it.”

This was true.

When Charles VII, who had decided on active participation, informed the Estates-General of this decision, they actively supported it.

The nobles saw it as a good opportunity to divide the power concentrated on the king, and the clergy could not afford to lose ‘Jerusalem’ and ‘superiority over the Vatican.’

The city representatives were no different. Missing out on a good opportunity to secure a base for direct trade with the ‘Land of Flowers’ [a common historical name for China] would be foolish.

It was a perfect situation where everyone’s interests aligned, so the Estates-General actively supported Charles VII’s decision.

* * *

“…Therefore, there is no need to worry about mobilizing troops. The problem is firepower. France also requests the opportunity to participate in the purchase of weapons imported from the ‘Land of Flowers’.”

In response to the French envoy’s request, Mehmed II replied.

“Not distribution, purchase.”

“I mean, give us the opportunity to purchase.”

At those words, Henrique and Mehmed II simultaneously looked at Cosimo.

Having received a silent question, Cosimo paused for a moment before answering.

“If you provide the types and quantities of weapons you need, I will obtain them for you. The problem is the payment.”

“Do not worry about the payment. If necessary, we will even use loans. However, I hope you will give us the maximum possible discount.”

In response to the French envoy’s request for a discount, Cosimo glanced at Mehmed II and replied.

“If you accept the conditions set by the Empire, a more favorable discount will be possible.”

“What are the conditions set by the Empire?”

At the envoy’s question, Cosimo told him the conditions requested by the Empire.

After listening to Cosimo’s story, the envoy shook his head.

“The part about ‘establishing a corporation and sharing the shares to prevent disputes between the parties involved’ is fine, but it is difficult to accept that the ‘Land of Flowers’ holds 40/100 of the shares.”

“The Ottoman Empire accepted it.”

At Mehmed II’s words, the French envoy made an ambiguous expression, whether it was ridicule or sympathy, and continued.

“The Ottoman’s decision is the Ottoman’s business, but France thinks it needs to reconsider. We are fighting the war, and we are doing the construction afterward, so why should the ‘Land of Flowers’ take the most profit? This is unfair.”

“Then get out if you’re so dissatisfied.”

Mehmed II responded with a sharp voice to the French envoy’s words.

“Anyway, the country shedding the most blood in this war right now is the Ottoman Empire. I am well aware that the blood is flowing less because of the Empire’s weapons. Therefore, the Ottoman Empire does not consider it unfair.”

“Just because of weapons? Ha!”

The French envoy was speechless, but Mehmed II instead smiled and asked back.

“Is it just weapons? Don’t you know that it is impossible to build canals or railroads after the war without the Empire? I hope you will keep in mind that construction is impossible without the Empire’s equipment and materials.”

“If there is no equipment, we can put in more manpower! We can bring in as many laborers or slaves as we can!”

“Do you not know the desert?”

At Mehmed II’s question, the French envoy lost his words.

Mehmed II, who had silenced the French envoy, explained the situation again.

“The desert is a place where you can lose your life with even a small mistake, even if you enter with full preparation. But do you think the construction going on there will be easy? Huh? Do you think everything will be solved if you just put in a lot of manpower? If you do the construction that way, it won’t be finished even after 100 years. Do you think I made that agreement just because I was obsessed with weapons?”

“Even so, 40/100 is too unfair!”

“I told you to get out if you don’t like it!”

Sensing that the atmosphere was overheating, Cosimo intervened.

“Now, now…. I don’t think it’s too late to think about the share issue later. Isn’t it more important to end this war quickly first? Ottoman agrees with this too, right?”

At Cosimo’s question, Mehmed II replied in a sulky voice.

“I agree.”

“Then let’s focus on this part first. How about we discuss the rest later? Nothing has been decided yet, starting with the establishment of the corporation, right?”

“The Ottoman Empire has already promised.”

“Isn’t there a prerequisite? The prerequisite is ‘if a corporation is established.’ If this prerequisite disappears, the promise also disappears.”

“Huh?”

When Cosimo pointed out the blind spot, Mehmed II’s expression immediately changed. Watching Mehmed II’s expression, Cosimo continued.

“The Empire’s ‘establishment of a corporation’ seemed quite reasonable, so I agreed to it. However, no one knows the situation after the war. If we think a little more, a better method may come out, that is, a better method that can maximize the national interests of the participating allied countries. If a better method comes out, wouldn’t there be no need to follow the Empire’s conditions?”

“Hmm….”

At Cosimo’s words, Mehmed II stroked his beard and pondered.

Cosimo skillfully coordinated the situation.

“Therefore, let’s focus on the war first. First of all, do you agree to France’s participation?”

“…I agree.”

“…I agree.”

After pondering for a moment at Cosimo’s question, Henrique and Mehmed II agreed to France’s participation. Having involved France to check Spain, France also had the right to speak and the qualification to share profits. In that case, it was better to have them participate even if it meant sharing a little more profit. As the war dragged on, the finances of Portugal and the Ottoman Empire were gradually becoming strained.

Having obtained the consent of Henrique and Mehmed II, Cosimo smiled brightly and concluded.

“Then, let’s summarize that this meeting has agreed to the full-scale participation of the allied country, France. How about we coordinate the rest of the opinions later?”

Everyone else nodded simultaneously at Cosimo’s suggestion.

“I agree.”

* * *

After the meeting, Mehmed II returned to his lodgings, emptied his wine glass, and muttered.

“As expected, a great merchant is a great merchant.”

In today’s meeting, Cosimo skillfully coordinated the situation. He was the supreme ruler of Florence, but he did not reveal it and only showed himself as a merchant. Cosimo was the one who coordinated the situation while seemingly prostrating himself before the nobles and royalty in the guise of a mere merchant. In the end, Cosimo was able to secure his own interests as much as possible.

“If the descendants are like me, the prosperity of the Medici family will continue for the time being.”

* * *

“He wasn’t just blinded by credit.”

At the same time, Cosimo was seeing Mehmed II differently in his office.

“I thought he was the one who best fit the Empire’s saying, ‘If it’s on credit, you can even eat an ox,’ but was that not the case?”

When Cosimo heard about what happened on the Empire’s founding day through Giovanni, Cosimo gave Mehmed II a harsh evaluation.

-A human who tried to play tricks but was instead outsmarted by the Empire.

However, considering today’s situation, that was not the case. Although he may have been caught off guard at first, Mehmed II was the one who found a way to obtain the maximum profit afterward.

-Instead of conceding shares to the Empire, he secures shares from others.

This must have been Mehmed II’s strategy, which is why he showed a negative reaction to France’s full-scale participation.

“But half of him has turned around, so the problem is the other half….”

Having organized his own situation, Cosimo called Giovanni and gave an order.

“There is something to check on the way back from the Empire with the professors.”

* * *

“I had a truly good time with His Majesty’s generous hospitality.”

“I saw and learned so much.”

Before returning to their hometowns, the professors bowed their heads and expressed their gratitude to Hyang.

Listening to the professors’ words, Hyang smiled and offered words of blessing.

“It is truly a good thing that you have seen and learned so much. Those who are determined to learn should never stop learning and practicing throughout their lives. I hope you will diligently walk the path of learning even after you return.”

“Your Majesty’s grace is boundless!”

Having heard Hyang’s words of blessing, the professors took the iron horses [trains] again, went down to Mokpo, and set off on their way home.

Whenever the ships carrying the professors stopped at intermediate ports, Giovanni secretly visited the professors and asked questions.

“You saw the iron horse and the steam engine, didn’t you?”

“I saw it very well.”

“Do you think we can make it too?”

Most of the professors gave similar answers to Giovanni’s question.

“It may be difficult right now, but it will be possible enough if we put in time and effort.”

“Is that so? Thank you.”