Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 828

828. Chicken Ribs (2)

As he had said to Wan, Australia was to Hyang like a chicken rib—no, a card worth even less. It held little strategic value in his eyes.

‘Considering the current state of the Empire, there’s no need to covet Australia and South America, nor should we.’

As Hyang said this, the Empire’s territory was steadily expanding.

It wasn’t just because they had acquired Shinji [a newly discovered territory, possibly mythical].

The Empire’s northern territories were also continuously expanding.

* * *

By winning the war caused by Emperor Seondeok’s misjudgment, Joseon gained control of the Liaodong region and transformed into an empire.

The acquisition of the Liaodong region wasn’t just about securing the justification of ‘recovering ancient territory.’

They gained access to rich minerals and a significant population in the Liaodong region, and more importantly, the development of the Siberian region became smoother.

Before acquiring Liaodong, they had to transport goods and personnel through a narrow route that stretched along the coastline from the Tumen River. This was a logistical bottleneck.

However, with the acquisition of the Liaodong region, those constraints were removed.

Larger steel mills were built using the iron ore and coal from Liaodong, and the steel from those mills was used to construct large-scale railways heading north.

Through the railways that were built, fur hunters and gold seekers ventured north. They were followed by merchants and farmers seeking new settlements.

As people moved, the area east of Lake Baikal, where only flags had been planted before, began to solidify as part of the Empire’s territory.

* * *

As the territories of the northern lands and Shinji grew wider, Hyang once again keenly felt the need for ‘selection and concentration’—prioritizing key areas for development.

“I know what’s where, and I want to say, ‘It’s all mine!’ but if I do that, I’ll fail miserably. First of all, the Empire’s capabilities are lacking, and next, the greedy Europeans are a problem. The Ming [Chinese dynasty] and the Wa [historical term for Japan] are also problems….”

At that time, the Ming Dynasty was under the reign of Emperor Jingtai, who did not hide his hostility towards the Empire.

In the case of the Wa, the situation was not good enough to be relieved, as Ouchi, who had newly established the shogunate [Japanese military government], was considered ‘pro-Empire.’

First of all, the Ouchi shogunate was enthusiastically reforming and strengthening its control over the Wa, but it had not completely consolidated its power.

Therefore, the possibility existed that the Ouchi regime could collapse at any time and a new regime hostile to the Empire could emerge.

That wasn’t the only problem.

The age of the head of the Ouchi shogunate, who could be said to be an ‘absolute pro-Empire faction,’ and the question of his heir were also concerns. Their loyalty couldn’t be guaranteed after they stepped down.

Even when they stepped down and a new generation took over, they could not be sure that they would be cooperative with the Empire.

“No matter what, the location of the Wa itself is like a knife aimed at the Empire’s chin….”

Hyang, who had been grumbling about the geographical location of the Wa, smiled bitterly.

“For the same reason, the Japanese Empire annexed Joseon [historical Korean kingdom], right? Then should we eat the Wa?”

For a moment, Hyang thought of ‘annexing the Wa’ but shook his head.

“Eh~. Let’s not do something that will get us criticized for doing the same thing. And Japan is a loss even if we eat it.”

Having dismissed ‘annexing the Wa’ in that way, Hyang tapped the desk with his finger.

“The problem is how to appease these greedy people. If we do it wrong, another crusade might be launched and attack our Empire. Or, transcending race and religion, they might shout ‘We are the World!’ and attack. We have to throw them bait to bite and tear each other apart.”

After this deliberation, Hyang chose Australia and South America as the best bait to throw to Europe and the Wa.

* * *

There were several reasons why Hyang chose Australia and South America.

-With the current level of technology, there are many problems in developing Australia and South America. The logistical challenges are immense.

-Australia and South America became prominent as resource powerhouses after the late 20th century. Their potential wasn’t fully realized yet.

-With the current level of technology, there are many problems in overcoming Australia’s vast deserts and South America’s Amazon rainforest. These geographical barriers are significant.

-Even if iron ore and coal mines are developed in Australia, it is difficult to secure economic feasibility with the current level of European ships and transportation capabilities. The costs outweigh the benefits.

-The same goes for South America.

Among the resources from South America, the most valuable resources are difficult to be spotlighted before internal combustion engines and semiconductors become common. The demand isn’t there yet.

-In this situation, gold and silver are the things that can definitely catch the eyes of greedy people, including Europe. These precious metals are universally desired.

-Fortunately, there are large gold and silver mines in Australia and South America.

-Profit!

Satisfied up to this point, Hyang concluded with a relaxed face like a well-fed cat.

“If the ‘Maritime Barrier’ planned by His Majesty is completed to the east of Shinji, we can rest assured. And if the Empire continues to grow steadily in the future, there is no need to worry even when the resources of Australia and South America are spotlighted. At that time, we can acquire them with capital as a weapon.”

Hyang stared at the Shinji part of the world map hanging on the wall and muttered.

“Australia and South America are places where the Room Manager [likely referring to a game or simulation administrator] has balanced the desert and the Amazon. The difficulty is also high. I can’t miss the ‘Room Manager’s Cheat Map, the Cheat Key to the World’ while being greedy for that.”

* * *

Because he had already come to this conclusion, Hyang decided he would use Australia as a discard card as soon as the Navy’s proposal came up.

“Although our Empire is working hard to stop it now, other countries will eventually learn about Shinji. If they try to join forces to occupy Shinji, it will be a big problem, so it is best to throw them appropriate bait. It’s fifty-fifty whether such an unknown continent really exists or not.”

At Hyang’s words, Wan bowed his head and exclaimed repeatedly.

“The plan that Your Majesty has come up with is the best plan! I can’t help but admire it!”

“You’re too kind. If you think about everything one more time, you can do it too.”

“I will try!”

Having created a warm atmosphere with Wan, Hyang ordered the ministers.

“Carefully consider the plan sent by the Navy and my thoughts, and create an appropriate plan to present.”

“We obey your command!”

The ministers, bowing their heads in response to Hyang’s order, felt cold sweat running down their spines.

‘To think of such a fatal plan on the spot, His Majesty is truly a terrifying person!’

‘The Sanghwang [retired emperor] was also famous for his deep scheming, but His Majesty is definitely not inferior!’

Following Hyang’s order, the ‘Chicken Ribs Operation’ was created, led by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of National Defense.

-If Europeans learn of the existence of Shinji, the operation will begin.

The operation that disappeared below the surface with this precondition was the ‘Chicken Ribs Operation.’

However, at some point, it spontaneously ignited.

The reason for this spontaneous combustion was that Europeans began to suspect the existence of Shinji.

* * *

Through European intellectuals who entered the Empire, the ‘Earth Sphere Theory’ was once again in the spotlight.

Of course, the ‘Earth Sphere Theory’ was also argued in ancient Greece and Rome, but it was not recognized as the orthodox theory.

However, as the Empire recognized the ‘Earth Sphere Theory’ as the orthodox theory and presented evidence to prove it, Europeans also came to recognize the ‘Earth Sphere Theory’ as the orthodox theory.

And a significant number of Europeans simultaneously came up with the same idea.

“Wait… if the Earth is round, can’t we go to the Empire without going to Suez or around Africa?”

And among those who came up with this idea, those with capital and execution power set out on a ‘western route exploration.’

The most representative of these were the British nobles.

With dreams of a fortune, many people formed fleets and departed from London.

However, only a very small number of them returned.

Only those who had lost their ships in typhoons at the wrong time or barely survived the attacks of pirates waiting in the middle returned.

Others, except for them, never returned.

Those who set out to explore the western route were fully loaded with abundant supplies and wealth in preparation for long-distance voyages and in preparation for the success of the exploration.

And they came down south to avoid the rough waves of the North Atlantic.

The problem was that pirates from North Africa and the Mediterranean region set out on expeditions to plunder these exploration fleets.

It wasn’t just the pirates.

Ships from Portugal and Spain also pounced, looking for opportunities.

Waiting for the exploration ships that barely overcame these crises and headed west was the Imperial Navy.

The maritime barrier that Sejong started and Hyang took over was almost at the final stage.

In particular, Hyang, who knew about ‘Columbus’ discovery of the New World,’ ordered the Shinji-based naval fleet to move the patrol area further south.

“According to the Europeans, the north of the sea between Europe and Shinji has rough waves and is not easy to navigate. Then they will come down further south and head to Shinji. So, dispatch the fleet further south.”

“We obey your command!”

The exploration ships that challenged the ‘western route’ were caught in the maritime barrier that had been moved south in this way and disappeared into the sea.

As failures continued, interest in the ‘western route’ slowly began to fade.

This was because the nobles who had funded the project went bankrupt or gave up due to repeated failures, and the sailors did not come forward.

In particular, sailors who were sensitive to all kinds of superstitions shook their heads at the mere mention of the ‘western route.’

“The Earth is round? Nonsense! There was a huge cliff that has been passed down from the past! So they all fell and died!”

“Okay, let’s say the Earth is round, as you smart people say. Still, I’m not going to the western route! That route is definitely cursed! Everyone died because they were cursed!”

As investment decreased and it became increasingly difficult to find sailors, interest in the ‘western route’ gradually faded.

At that time, rumors about ‘Shinji’ began to circulate among Europeans.

-The ‘Land of Flowers’ [a common term for an idealized or exotic country] has discovered new land in the east!

-It’s been quite a while since they discovered that land, and they named it ‘Shinji.’

“Where did this rumor come from?”

Upon hearing the rumors, Europeans soon began to look for the source of the rumors.

The source that came out of that investigation was multiple places.

-Imperial sailors who landed in Suez got drunk in a bar and blurted it out.

“Aren’t those just drunken nonsense?”

“No. No matter how drunk they were, as soon as the word ‘Shinji’ came out, people around them stopped them from talking.”

“Hoo?”

Another source was sailors who had entered the Empire for trade.

Since quite a lot of time had already passed, European sailors who were fluent in the Imperial language were common.

“Of course, that was because of their sinister intention to seduce Imperial women….”

Whatever the purpose, European sailors who were fluent in the Imperial language understood the conversations of the Imperial people, and through those conversations, they learned of the existence of ‘Shinji.’

“The second source is more credible. Then that rumor is true….”

“Isn’t there a relationship between Shinji and the disappearance of the expedition?”

While pondering whether there was a relationship between the two, Europeans recalled a forgotten memory.

It was a proclamation that the Empire had previously declared regarding entry into Imperial territory.

-All ships and foreigners trying to enter Imperial territory must stop by Seonnamdo and obtain permission! Those who violate this will be regarded as pirates and sunk!

“No way!”