Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 878

878. Generational Shift (9)

Despite their differing perspectives and values, the instructors and Florentine administrators continued to collaborate as effectively as possible.

Consequently, the ‘Florentine Army’ was finally beginning to materialize.

The Florentine Army consisted of approximately 3,000 soldiers. Around 1,500 of these were cavalrymen who had transitioned from mercenary work to become regular soldiers. The remainder comprised infantry and artillery units.

“Even though the artillery is mainly Hwachas [Korean rocket artillery]…”

The instructors struggled to conceal their disappointment.

The Empire’s cannons were renowned for their effectiveness, but they were also incredibly expensive. They could have employed a similar strategy to the Florentine long rifles, but the time and expense involved would have been substantial.

The gunpowder required for a single cannon shot was significantly greater than that needed for a long rifle, and the Empire’s cannon manufacturing technology was far more advanced than that of other nations.

Therefore, even for affluent Florence, acquiring Imperial cannons was an unrealistic dream.

“Still, we definitely need cannons… Let’s aim to acquire about 10. Even if we can’t obtain them all at once.”

Lorenzo responded with a hint of regret to Giovanni, who managed the finances.

“Will 10 be sufficient? The banker constantly reminds me, ‘The key to the Imperial Army’s consistent victories is cannons, numerous cannons, and even more cannons,’ doesn’t he?”

“He does.”

Giovanni nodded in agreement with Lorenzo, adding:

“But finances are the limiting factor. Let’s begin with 10 for now. We can supplement the 부족한 [deficient] cannons by integrating with the Imperial Army. Those soldiers can’t fathom a war without cannons, so they’ll bring an ample supply with them.”

Lorenzo’s face brightened at Giovanni’s suggestion.

“What a brilliant idea!”

Despite the unavoidable limitations and resourceful solutions, the 1,500 infantry and artillerymen formed the bedrock of the Florentine Army, which would continue to expand.

They would evolve into seasoned veterans and non-commissioned officers, guiding the new recruits who would join their ranks in the future.

And the initial group of 50, tasked with commanding them and formulating strategies, were diligently working in Seoul.

* * *

When they first encountered the military officer candidates who were to lead the ‘new Florentine Army,’ the instructors at the Imperial Military Academy were taken aback.

“Hmm…”

The lead instructor, after reviewing the candidates’ roster multiple times, addressed the candidate representative standing before him:

“Are these individuals who came to Seoul ‘Florentine Army officer candidates,’ or ‘Medici family private army commanders’?”

The candidate representative blushed slightly at the instructor’s question and answered:

“They are Florentine Army officer candidates.”

“Then why do they all have the surname ‘Medici’?”

“Not all of them do…”

“Not all…”

Out of the 50 officer candidates who had traveled to Seoul, 30 bore the surname ‘Medici.’ Consequently, the lead instructor regarded the candidate representative with suspicion.

“Explain this properly. Our Imperial Army is cooperating in training officers to command the Florentine Army, not in training the Medici family’s personal guard.”

Under the instructor’s scrutiny, the candidate representative explained the situation.

“Most of them are second sons from distant branches of the family, or illegitimate children.”

“Ah, I see.”

At the candidate representative’s concise explanation, the lead instructor finally understood.

* * *

During this era, the inheritance system in Europe heavily favored the eldest son.

Daughters were married into influential families with substantial dowries, but younger sons, illegitimate children, or children born out of wedlock received no such advantages.

Of course, wealthy and powerful families like the Medici found ways to provide for their non-firstborn sons, distant relatives, illegitimate children, and children born outside of marriage.

They would create positions for them within the family’s various businesses or send them to monasteries at a young age, using bribery to secure positions as cardinals or bishops.

However, the further they were from the family’s core, the more challenging their lives became.

Therefore, as soon as they saw the announcement that ‘officers for the new Florentine Army are being recruited,’ they applied in droves.

In an age when impoverished nobles or sons of nobles without inheritance commonly entered the mercenary profession, the position of officer in a new army was highly appealing.

In particular, if the ‘great undertaking’ that the elders had mentioned were to commence and they could accumulate military achievements, their futures would undoubtedly be secure.

“If we’re destined to be low-level bank employees or spend our days in a monastery, let’s join the army instead!”

* * *

At the representative candidate’s brief explanation, the lead instructor nodded, but his thoughts diverged.

‘Our Empire also used to prohibit 서얼 [children of concubines] from entering government service before the Gyeongjang [reform period], so I can understand to some extent, but is that truly the only reason?’

From the Emperor to his direct superiors, those in relatively high positions within the Empire shared a common trait:

-Even when pursuing a single objective, they had multiple underlying purposes.

Simply put, even moving a single unit was not merely a simple troop movement. It involved various considerations, such as the livelihoods of the villages near the unit’s base and ensuring the security of roads connecting to other villages.

It was because he was immersed in such an Imperial mindset that the lead instructor questioned, ‘Is that really all there is to it?’

“Hmm… I understand. Then go unpack your luggage in the assigned quarters.”

“Yes!”

The lead instructor, after dismissing the representative candidate, began to write a report on paper.

The instructor, having recorded the representative candidate’s answer, then added his own thoughts.

-Presumed to have been selected to effectively control the army with the most powerful military force.

The lead instructor’s assessment was reasonable.

If it grew in size as planned and incorporated mercenaries, the Florentine Army would evolve into an entity that could be considered the strongest in Florence, or even Italy, in terms of military strength.

This could be the Medici family’s most valuable asset, but conversely, it could also become the most significant threat.

The most effective way to prevent this was to install family members as commanders within the army.

However, simply placing them there was not the optimal solution if they were considering the great undertaking, so they sent them to study abroad in the Empire.

The reasoning was that if they were talented individuals who had been vetted by the Empire, they could achieve the dual objectives of ensuring the family’s security and successfully completing the great undertaking.

* * *

“Plausible?”

The report containing the lead instructor’s analysis began to ascend the chain of command based on the judgments of his superiors.

Thanks to everyone reaching similar conclusions, the report eventually reached Wan.

Wan, after reviewing the report from the Ministry of National Defense, turned to Hwangbo-in.

“What are your thoughts?”

“It’s a plausible idea. Historically, armies have often served as strong shields, but even a slight misstep can turn them into daggers that stab their owners.”

The ministers all nodded in agreement with Hwangbo-in’s assessment. Seeing their reaction, Wan continued.

“Then, what should our Empire do?”

“First and foremost, we must carefully select the gems among them. It would be problematic if they were to hinder the Empire when it intervenes later. Next, we must instill unwavering loyalty and trust in them.”

“I see…”

While Wan was nodding, Kim Jong-seo added.

“While we’re instilling those qualities, we should also cultivate an absolute sense of favor towards the Empire. The more the Empire’s influence extends to Florence, the more those who resent it will increase. However, if the army is on the Empire’s side, they won’t be able to voice their opposition freely. Consider Japan.”

Wan nodded emphatically at Kim Jong-seo’s words.

“Indeed!”

* * *

During this period, Japan was referred to as ‘Little Empire’ due to its similarities to the Empire. Among the most striking resemblances, the Japanese royal family and court were the first to be mentioned, followed by the Japanese army.

The Japanese royal family and court, dominated by pro-Empire factions, reorganized the Japanese army along the lines of the Imperial Army. This was intended to emphasize their legitimacy.

-The Japanese army is not the shogunate army commanded by samurai. It is the Japanese army that is loyal to His Majesty the King and protects the people!

While instilling these new values, the Japanese army became Imperialized. And thanks to the ‘Conscription System for All Subjects,’ these values permeated ordinary Japanese society as well.

As a result, those who advocated for the restoration of the Emperor, who had fallen into decline since the last rebellion, vanished.

Well, a few still remained and whispered ‘Revival of the Emperor System’ and ‘Overthrow of the Japanese King’ in the shadows, but they found no support.

* * *

Wan, having nodded at Kim Jong-seo’s words, turned to the Minister of National Defense and issued an order.

“The military must teach the talents sent from Florence with utmost sincerity. It will benefit both our Empire and Florence if they become capable generals.”

“I will engrave it in my bones.”

“Instill loyalty and trust in them thoroughly.”

“I will obey your command! I will do my best to instill it properly!”

And Jang Hang-seon’s response was immediately put into action. The commander candidates from Florence were pushed so relentlessly that they tasted blood in their mouths.

This was unavoidable.

From the Empire’s perspective, the military knowledge they possessed was outdated.

“I’d like to keep you here for about 10 years and retrain you from the beginning, but there’s no time for that! So from now on, follow me with the determination to die! If you fall behind, I’ll send you back to Florence immediately!”

This was not an idle threat. As one or two people were actually being expelled, the remaining ones had to keep up with the progress with a genuine determination to survive.

It wasn’t just academics that tormented the candidates.

-Special class for Florentine exchange students. ‘What is the correct attitude of a soldier?’

Through special classes ‘exclusively’ for Florentine exchange students, the Empire’s instructors instilled ‘loyalty and trust’ with terrifying intensity.

Of course, they didn’t just wield the whip. Whenever they achieved satisfactory results, the instructors provided ample rewards.

In addition, on holidays, they would take the candidates to witness demonstrations of the weapons used by the Imperial soldiers or observe their training exercises, followed by a celebratory banquet.

As time passed, the exchange students sent from Florence transformed as the Imperial Army intended.

Those who remained after careful selection were showing the potential to become commanders who were valuable even in the eyes of the Imperial Army’s high-ranking officers.

Furthermore, through the special classes and various reward policies, they had become more pro-Empire than anyone else.

But there were also unintended consequences.

-10 cannons? Are you kidding me? The more cannons, the better! Combat is all about firepower!

-Only 10,000 soldiers? After recalculating, I believe up to 40,000 is feasible! We must have at least 40,000! If we want to succeed in the great undertaking, we must have that many!

Every time Giovanni and Lorenzo read the letters sent from Seoul, they sighed in exasperation.

“What on earth are they learning in the Empire?”

“Should we have sent them to the Ministry of Economy and Finance instead of the Military Academy…”

However, whenever they heard rumors about this, the instructors and Yoo Eung-boo smiled and said.

“Those guys, they’ve learned their lessons well.”

“It seems like we’ll be able to accomplish things with those guys that we couldn’t achieve because of the Ministry of Economy and Finance?”