Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 863

863. Their Ambition (14)

In the end, Wan ordered a thorough analysis of the ‘Florence Rifle’ sent by Hyang.

This was partly to appease the cautious faction, led by Im Sun-wook, but also due to the implications for Emperor Wan’s own authority.

“Everyone knows the meticulousness of the Retired Emperor. However, even the most carefully laid plans can have a flaw. This matter is greatly related to the future of the Empire, so it is right to examine and consider it one more time.”

“I obey your command!”

The officials bowed their heads in response to Wan’s order. Even as they bowed, they glanced sideways at Shin Suk-ju.

Shin Suk-ju, already under Wan’s scrutiny, was bowing with a deathly pale face.

Rumors about Shin Suk-ju were rampant in the back alleys of Yukjo Street [the main street where the Six Ministries were located].

-It is said that not only the Emperor but also the Crown Prince are sharpening their knives for Shin Suk-ju!

-It is said that the Board of Audit is already investigating Shin Suk-ju!

The rumors circulating among the officials had already reached Shin Suk-ju’s ears. After that, Shin Suk-ju began to work even harder and be more careful.

However, people were gradually distancing themselves from him.

Watching Shin Suk-ju, the officials all clicked their tongues inwardly.

‘Tsk! He should have been more moderate!’

‘He should have stopped when he was bickering with the Minister of Finance!’

* * *

While Shin Suk-ju was desperately trying to make up for his mistakes, Area 51 meticulously analyzed the Florence Rifle.

The gunsmiths of Area 51 were burning with enthusiasm. Since Hyang went to Shinji, the guns made in Area 51 were increasingly being adopted as standard issue, which intensified the competition.

The artisans, who diligently disassembled, scrutinized, and analyzed the Florence Rifle, all looked at it with ambiguous expressions.

“As expected of the Retired Emperor…”

“It seems well-made, but it’s a rifle that’s ambiguously poorly made.”

If the developers of the original Mosin-Nagant had heard this, they would not have been able to hide their resentment, but the artisans were sincere.

In the case of the guns that Hyang had made by adding his own improvements, they were basically original designs with excellent performance, enhanced with ergonomics.

Therefore, the Florence Rifle, which stubbornly adhered to the original design and added some inconveniences, could not help but be considered ‘ambiguously poorly made.’

“But it’s far superior to the Eul-sik rifle.”

“That’s what makes it even scarier.”

“Anyway, let’s write a report and submit it.”

A few days later, a report was submitted to Wan through Crown Prince Hyun.

Hyun and the officials, who had reviewed the report in advance, all wore ambiguous expressions.

“Why do you all look like that?”

“You will understand when you read the report.”

“Hmm…”

At Hyun’s answer, Wan stopped questioning and opened the report.

The summary of the report was as follows:

-The accuracy of the Florence Rifle is lower compared to the Byeong-sik rifle. However, it is not significantly lower.

-The weight is slightly lighter for the Florence Rifle. But this is also not significantly lighter.

-The steel used to construct the barrel and receiver of the rifle is of a lower grade than the steel used in the Empire’s rifles, pistols, and hwachas [multiple rocket launcher].

-The thickness of the barrel and the firing pin are both slightly thinner than those of the Empire’s weapons.

-Therefore, the durability of the Florence Rifle is at best at a level that barely meets the Empire’s requirements.

-After processing the latest European steel (鐵材) [iron material] acquired from Area 51 and manufacturing it according to specifications, it was confirmed that it did not guarantee proper performance.

-The advantage over the Byeong-sik rifle is its simple structure. Even countries with lower technological levels compared to the Empire can produce it.

“Heo…”

Wan, having read the report, wore an expression of disbelief.

He had already confirmed it while actually shooting, and he also knew it through Hyang’s documents. However, the report written and submitted by experts carried more weight.

“Hmm…”

Once again, Wan examined the report and looked at Im Sun-wook.

“Minister of Finance, I ask you.”

“Please ask.”

“Can the Florence Rifle alleviate your concerns?”

After taking a moment to organize his thoughts, Im Sun-wook bowed his head again and answered.

“If the Gap-sik Gyeonghwacha [light, wheeled hwacha] is not sold at all, and the hwachas and cannons are all purchased from the Empire, then it would be acceptable to hand over the Florence Rifle. Also, it would be good to provide the technology, tools, and blueprints, but make it an optional condition to buy the materials from the Empire.”

“Optional?”

“If we force it from the beginning, it will feel like coercion, but if they try to make it themselves and realize that it does not reach the level of the Empire’s products, they will come to seek it out on their own.”

“That’s right.”

Wan nodded at Im Sun-wook’s words and turned to Shin Suk-ju.

“Minister of Foreign Affairs.”

As soon as Wan called him, Shin Suk-ju immediately bowed his head and answered.

“Yes, Your Majesty! I will definitely conclude the negotiations according to the conditions stated by the Minister of Finance!”

In response to Shin Suk-ju’s answer, Wan replied in an emotionless voice.

“I will look forward to it.”

“I will definitely make it happen!”

This was what happened while Giovanni was fretting.

* * *

“The Minister of Foreign Affairs has requested to see you tomorrow at Misi-jeong (2:30 PM).”

Giovanni, who was anxiously waiting for an answer at the Medici family’s mansion in Seoul, was overjoyed at the message from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs official and replied.

“I will definitely be there at that time!”

“Understood. Then…”

The next day, Giovanni visited the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at the appointed time. Guided by an official, Giovanni entered the Minister of Foreign Affairs’ office and immediately greeted Shin Suk-ju.

“It’s been a while, Minister.”

“It’s been a while. This way.”

Shin Suk-ju offered Giovanni a seat and sat across from him.

“How is it? Has His Majesty made a decision?”

“His Majesty has made great concessions for Florence, a good neighbor of the Empire.”

“Then!”

Giovanni’s face brightened at Shin Suk-ju’s answer. Looking at Giovanni’s face, Shin Suk-ju continued.

“He has permitted the dispatch of a training corps to train the Florentine army. We will dispatch them as soon as Florence is ready.”

“I am truly grateful for His Majesty the Emperor’s decisive action!”

Giovanni, expressing his gratitude for Wan’s decision, soon moved on to the next topic.

“By the way, how did you decide on the weapons?”

After a moment of hesitation, Shin Suk-ju stated the requirements.

“There are a few conditions. Hwachas and cannons must be purchased from the Empire. Ammunition for hwachas and rifles must be purchased from the Empire.”

“Hmm…”

At Shin Suk-ju’s words, Giovanni pondered with a serious face. After calculating in his head, Giovanni soon nodded.

“I accept.”

‘This is what I expected.’

* * *

Before coming to Seoul, Giovanni had discussions with the working-level staff in Florence about what conditions the Empire would impose.

Among the things that came out of that discussion were the conditions that Shin Suk-ju was now stating.

And the answer to these conditions was ‘Accept.’

-With Florence’s current steel facilities and technology, it is impossible to make cannons with the same performance as the Empire’s cannons.

-Similarly, it is impossible to produce large quantities of ammunition with Florence’s production facilities and capabilities.

-Therefore, if the Empire presents the above conditions, we have no choice but to accept them.

-In exchange for accepting these conditions, we must obtain permission to produce rifles. Starting with rifles, we will catch up with the Empire.

This was the conclusion reached in the discussion at the time, and Cosimo had approved it before coming to Seoul.

* * *

“I accept the conditions presented by the Empire. However, we also have a condition. We would like to directly produce and supply the rifles used by the Imperial Army in our Florence.”

“Hmm…”

Shin Suk-ju closed his mouth at Giovanni’s request. As Shin Suk-ju’s silence grew longer, Giovanni added.

“The Empire and Florence are good neighbors who share profits. Shouldn’t there be something to receive if there is something to give? At least Florence should make its own rifles.”

Giovanni argued that his request was justified. After a little more silence, Shin Suk-ju slowly opened his mouth.

“I already know about that part through the previous request. However, it is impossible to allow the production of the Byeong-sik rifle used by our army.”

“Minister!”

“It is also a matter related to the safety of the Empire, but there is also the issue of Florence. Our Empire has determined that it is impossible to mass-produce the Byeong-sik rifle with the skills of Florentine artisans.”

“Well, can’t you send artisans from the Empire to teach them?”

Giovanni immediately suggested an alternative, as this was also expected.

“The Empire does not easily send artisans out. Instead…”

Shin Suk-ju paused and moistened his throat with black bean tea. Giovanni desperately suppressed the rising heat at Shin Suk-ju’s leisurely actions.

“Hoo~.”

Shin Suk-ju let out a small sigh and continued.

“Instead, we have created a rifle that can be made and used in Florence. It is called the ‘Florence Rifle’.”

“Florence Rifle?”

“Do you have any soldiers among your party who are familiar with rifles?”

“Yes, I do.”

“Then let’s meet at the Imperial Army Headquarters tomorrow. The time is…”

* * *

The next day, Giovanni visited the headquarters with his party.

The soldier who greeted Giovanni’s party at the entrance led them to the shooting range.

“This is the Florence Rifle.”

Giovanni, seeing the rifles in front of him, turned to the officer who came with him.

Receiving a silent order, the officers and soldiers headed to where the rifles were placed.

After hearing how to handle them through an interpreter, the officers and soldiers loaded five rounds of ammunition into the Florence Rifle and pulled the trigger towards the target.

“It’s excellent!”

After finishing the test, the officer reported to Giovanni with an excited face.

Although they showed some hesitation at first, the soldiers, who became familiar with it after 10 shots, showed a tremendous rate of fire.

“It has a much better rate of fire than the Eul-sik rifle! It’s a really great rifle!”

Giovanni had a strange expression at the officer’s report. As far as he knew, the best advantage of the Byeong-sik rifle was that it could fire five rounds in a row.

In order to gain the upper hand in a situation where the scale was inferior, qualitative superiority was essential, so he had requested the Byeong-sik rifle.

‘But they made a rifle with the same performance as the Byeong-sik rifle separately for us? Kindness without a price is only shown by saints, and the Empire guys are closer to Satan than saints. Why?’

Giovanni could not hide a sense of foreboding.

In the end, Giovanni immediately questioned them.

“Why did the Empire make a dedicated rifle for us?”

“It is because the Florentine artisans cannot properly make the Byeong-sik rifle. This Florence Rifle is…”

Giovanni, hearing the characteristics of the Florence Rifle, questioned them again with an even more incomprehensible feeling.

“Why is the Empire showing such kindness? It is too unfamiliar to receive such kindness.”

Shin Suk-ju smiled at Giovanni’s words and replied.

“It is certain that a big game will be played in the future, and the Empire does not want to bet money on a losing game.”

“Ah…”

At Shin Suk-ju’s answer, Giovanni wore a relieved expression as if a toothache had been relieved.

‘That’s right! These are the Empire guys!’