Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 891

891. Overture (6)

The Hungarian army that invaded Austria numbered approximately 18,000, including about 4,000 cavalry.

A nation that had been cautiously observing the Habsburgs until recently had mobilized a considerable force.

The Hungarian army’s offensive was quite fierce.

The biggest reason fueling their fighting spirit was Friedrich III of Habsburg’s claim to the throne during the recent succession incident.

It was thanks to the Hungarians, who felt the injustice of Friedrich III’s interference, uniting as one.

Their advance seemed very smooth. From their very origin, Hungarians were a people skilled in battle.

Although devastated by the Mongol invasions, the Hungarians’ inherent nature did not disappear.

In addition, as King Matthias I, who pursued absolute monarchy, actively imported advanced culture, Hungary’s economic power greatly improved.

The decision to invade Austria was made due to the combination of a combative nature, improved national power, and the realistic threat of the Habsburgs.

The Hungarian army, which had invaded Austria in a surprise attack, occupied the territories of Austrian nobles in the border region and then turned their route northwest.

Their destination was Vienna.

With the war situation proceeding more smoothly than expected, Matthias I began to harbor ambitions.

“If the capture of Vienna succeeds, let’s take the remaining part of Austria.”

However, as the main force of the Hungarian army began to move towards Vienna, Friedrich III also began to move.

To be more precise, the army that Friedrich III had carefully nurtured began to move.

* * *

The Habsburg army mobilized by Friedrich III numbered approximately 15,000, including 2,000 cavalry and 3,000 Swiss mercenaries.

This was about 30% of the forces Friedrich III had cultivated.

“I wish I could mobilize everything, but…”

Friedrich trailed off, unable to hide his disappointment. However, there were still many Austrian nobles with rebellious attitudes, and the movements of France and Italy also held Friedrich back.

Finally, the poorly maintained road conditions and inadequate supply system within Austria made large-scale mobilization difficult.

In the end, 30% was the maximum force that could be mobilized right now.

“Can we really win? Isn’t it too small?”

Unlike the anxious Friedrich III, his son Maximilian I replied with a confident face.

“We can win! Trust His Majesty’s army!”

“I trust you.”

“Then I will go! I will dedicate the victory to Your Majesty!”

Maximilian I, confident of victory, led the generals and left the palace.

And a few days later, the Habsburg army and the Hungarian army finally faced each other.

* * *

The place where the two armies met was near Pottendorf.

“A perfect land to fight on!”

The Hungarian army commander, after examining the surrounding terrain, smiled with satisfaction.

The Pottendorf area was the widest plain in this vicinity.

The open plain in all directions was the best place for cavalry to move. Moreover, Vienna was right in front of them.

If they crushed the Habsburg army here, Vienna would be just around the corner.

Pottendorf was so close that his cavalry could reach Vienna in half a day at a quick pace.

“Vienna was too close to the border from the start.”

Thinking of Vienna to the north, the Hungarian army commander looked back at his subordinate commanders.

“Are you ready to send a new victory report to His Majesty?”

“Yes, sir!”

After hearing the confident replies of his subordinate commanders, the commander raised his baton.

“Then let’s begin!”

“Yes, sir!”

The subordinate commanders, shouting loudly, returned to their units.

Soon after, cannons began to fire at the trenches where the Habsburg army was stationed.

Bang! Boom!

As the cannons at the forefront of the Hungarian army camp fired simultaneously, pillars of dirt rose from various parts of the trench line dug by the Habsburg army.

“Advance!”

As soon as the commander’s order was given, the ranks of the Hungarian infantry, gripping matchlock rifles, began to move forward.

And behind them, the ranks of infantry armed with breech-loading single-shot rifles were waiting.

* * *

For their survival, Hungary had no choice but to jump into the arms race.

“The most important things are guns and cannons!”

“Matchlock rifles are not the answer!”

Hungarian army commanders were well aware that guns and cannons were now the trend on the battlefield.

However, Hungary did not have many skilled gunsmiths who could make breech-loading rifles. They alone could not keep up with the production and development speed of other countries.

Therefore, Matthias I had to promote a plan to import from foreign countries while producing domestically.

However, importing from abroad was not easy either.

“Importing things made in the ‘Land of Flowers’ [a common term for a nation excelling in arts and crafts] would be the best, but…”

However, importing Imperial rifles was almost impossible.

The Empire was strict about exporting the weapons they used. Moreover, the price was as formidable as its excellent performance.

If Imperial weapons could not be obtained, there were ways to obtain weapons from France or other great powers, but there were many difficulties with this as well.

The great powers were also struggling to supply their own armies. Also, even if they were obtained, bringing them in was a problem. Both land and sea routes were blocked by the Habsburgs.

“Come to think of it, even if we get the weapons from the ‘Land of Flowers,’ it would be a problem if we don’t solve this problem.”

In the end, to solve this problem, the Hungarian army and Matthias I chose smuggling.

And the place they set their sights on was one of Hungary’s most powerful enemies, the Ottomans.

* * *

Hungary and the Ottoman Empire originally did not have a good relationship.

It was only when Mehmed II, who had swallowed the great fish of Constantinople [captured Constantinople], adopted a pro-European policy that the relationship between the Ottoman Empire and Hungary softened a little.

As the Ottomans implemented a conciliatory policy and relations softened, Matthias I’s vassals and Hungarian army officers disguised as merchants sneaked into the Ottoman Empire.

They bribed suitable Ottoman merchants and attempted to smuggle firearms.

After several attempts, the Hungarians succeeded in smuggling a large number of percussion cap rifles and breech-loading rifles into Hungary.

Of course, they had to spend a lot of money to obtain ammunition and maintenance parts. However, the Hungarians’ expressions were bright.

“We bought time! In the current situation, time is more precious than gold!”

Interestingly, the Ottoman merchants they thought they had bribed were also Mehmed II’s loyal servants disguised as merchants.

* * *

Mehmed II, watching the European arms race, could never laugh.

“There is no guarantee that those guys won’t do that crazy thing called the Crusades again!”

Therefore, the Ottoman Empire had no choice but to participate in the arms race.

The problem was, again, money and the strictness of the Empire.

“The Ottoman Empire is a firm ally of our Empire, so selling weapons would be the principle. However, the current situation in Europe is a problem. If we are not careful, our Empire may be criticized for fueling the arms race.”

In response to the Empire official’s answer, the Ottoman envoy argued the injustice.

“So, you should sell to us instead! Because we must become stronger as they become stronger! That way, the scales will be balanced!”

“Oh dear…”

After persistent negotiations, the Empire decided to sell the Byeong-sik Hwacha [Korean multiple rocket launcher]. Of course, the quantity was much smaller than what the Ottomans wanted.

“Too little!”

“It’s a sufficient quantity for defense.”

“That’s beside the point! Why won’t you sell long rifles!”

“If we sell long rifles, the Empire will be cursed. Instead…”

The Empire official whispered to the Ottoman envoy in a small voice.

“You know that Florence has started producing new long rifles on behalf of our Empire, right? How about getting that?”

“New long rifles in Florence?”

“It’s called the Florentine Long Rifle. Would you like to take a look?”

After examining the ‘Florentine Long Rifle,’ the Ottoman Empire immediately sent an envoy to Florence.

And after several negotiations, Florence decided to sell to the Ottoman Empire.

And Hyang and Hyeon both smiled with satisfaction after hearing this report.

“With this, we have been able to put another shackle on them.”

“And we can also gain wealth.”

If they were only selling to the Florentine army, the Florentine Long Rifle would inevitably suffer losses. However, if the Ottoman army, a big player, also purchased the Florentine Long Rifle, the ‘economy of scale’ would be realized and it would turn into a surplus.

For both Florence and the Empire.

And Florence, with more financial resources, would be able to strengthen its forces more fully, which would reduce the burden on the Empire.

And here, Hyang’s other trap would be activated.

The Florentine Long Rifle was created under the premise that it ‘must be leaked.’

And, according to reports from the Empire’s intelligence network and Milwi, leakage attempts were increasing.

It was certain that it would be leaked soon, and before long, the long rifles of the European powers would follow the ‘Florentine Long Rifle.’

This was also the case for the Ottoman Empire. The Ottoman Empire was also researching firearms to supply to its own army. Once the Florentine Long Rifle entered, it was certain that the Ottoman Empire would follow the path of the European powers before long.

And the Ming Dynasty and Japan would also join that path.

Although Emperor Seonghwa was taking pro-Imperial steps, he could not do so even for national defense.

Although Japan was known as an ‘Empire 바라기’ [Empire 바라기 is a Korean term meaning someone who admires or depends on the Empire], it was attempting to stand on its own over time.

In the end, both Ming and Japan would develop weapons based on long rifles similar to the ‘Florentine Long Rifle.’

In doing so, the Florentine Long Rifle would become a kind of standard. Even the quality, which was one step lower than Imperial firearms.

It was becoming a kind of ‘downward leveling’ operation targeting all of the Empire’s military competitors.

This was Hyang’s trap.

* * *

The Ottoman Empire was a big player, but it was not a country overflowing with money.

“It’s good to buy the Florentine Long Rifle, but the funds…”

Mehmed II, who was worried about the funding problem, rejoiced as soon as he received a report that Hungarian disguised merchants were trying to smuggle long rifles.

“Allah’s blessing!”

Mehmed II immediately had his loyal servants disguise themselves as corrupt merchants and contact the Hungarians.

Then, he put a premium on the outdated firearms retiring from his own army and handed them over to the Hungarians.

And the Hungarian army, armed with those firearms, was about to face the Habsburg army.

* * *

The Habsburg army, facing the Hungarian army armed with percussion cap muzzle-loading single-shot rifles and breech-loading single-shot rifles using paper cartridges, was armed with breech-loading rifles modeled after the Eul-sik rifle [Korean breech-loading rifle].

In addition, there were about 20 Hwachas [Korean multiple rocket launcher] modeled after the Eul-sik Hwacha as supporting fire.

However, they lacked cannons compared to the Hungarian army.

In conclusion, the overall power of both sides was almost similar.

Now, the victory would be decided by who had better luck.

“The Hungarian bastards are coming!”

“Fire the cannons!”

Bang! Boom!

The Habsburg army’s cannons began to fire at the Hungarian army ranks advancing towards the trenches.