Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 893

Upon Yu Eung-bu’s remark, Shin Suk-ju feigned understanding.

“Still, didn’t the campaign to conquer Messika about ten years ago produce many military officers with actual combat experience?”

“That’s true, but…”

Yu Eung-bu, seemingly frustrated, took a sip of tea and continued.

“The problem is that over ten years have passed. Those who were rampaging at the forefront with the soldiers back then have now stepped back and are just offering advice from the sidelines. The newcomers still need to learn the ropes, to tell the difference between good and bad.”

Sung Sam-moon and Shin Suk-ju both nodded at Yu Eung-bu’s words. Although they were civil officials, they could relate to the ‘issue of newcomers’ experience.’

* * *

The reactions of those newly entering government service could be largely divided into two:

-Those who don’t move unless ordered.

-Those who take the initiative and run wild even without being ordered.

In the first case, those who properly carried out what they were told ‘only’ showed potential.

However, the problem was that there were more who couldn’t properly do what they were told or barely managed to do it.

This was a situation that was increasingly seen as the empire entered a period of stability.

-If you want to make money, you either get a job at a merchant guild or invest using your family’s money as seed capital. Why become a government official? The biggest advantage of being an official is that you can have a stable life as long as you don’t make mistakes.

‘A long and steady job, and one that gives you some recognition after retirement.’

As those who aimed for this increased, so did the number of those who were ‘frustrating to even look at.’

Of course, the guys in the second category were just as much of a headache.

They didn’t even properly understand their duties yet, but they ran around causing all sorts of trouble, turning molehills into mountains.

Most of those in the second category were ambitious.

-Now that I’ve entered government service, shouldn’t I aim to reach the position of ‘one below the emperor, above all others,’ like Han Myung-hoi?

Their idol was Han Myung-hoi. [A prominent figure known for rising through the ranks despite a humble background.]

This was because Han Myung-hoi was someone from a declining family, not a famous prestigious family that had been around for generations, yet he rose to the highest position through his own efforts.

The problem was what happened after they caused an accident. Some reflected on their mistakes and didn’t repeat them, but others kept making mistakes.

And the superiors used this as a great filter.

-Those who reliably do what they are told are the best for stable state administration.

-Those who reflect on their mistakes and never repeat them can ensure that the empire does not fall behind in adapting to change.

* * *

“Still, isn’t the navy doing well?”

At Shin Suk-ju’s remark, Yu Eung-bu sighed.

“Hoo~. Not so much these days. Pirates have been wiped out. The pirates we see now are just small fry that can be subdued with the armaments of ordinary merchant ships. We can’t just stir things up first… And the upcoming Italian battle will mostly be a land battle, so we can’t just drag the battle line onto land, can we?”

Sung Sam-moon and Shin Suk-ju also looked troubled at Yu Eung-bu’s words.

“It’s certainly a difficult situation. Thanks to the empire’s efforts, we have achieved peace, but conversely, the imperial army may become outwardly strong but inwardly weak…”

At Sung Sam-moon’s words, Yu Eung-bu concluded with a helpless expression.

“The only answer is to prepare through realistic training. And I just hope that events like the war between Hungary and the Habsburgs don’t happen again. The more enemies familiar with guns and cannons there are, the more of a headache it becomes.”

Shin Suk-ju raised an objection to Yu Eung-bu’s words.

“Huh? Isn’t that a good thing?”

“Good, what do you mean? It’s good that there are more opponents familiar with actual combat?”

Yu Eung-bu’s expression worsened, but Shin Suk-ju smiled slyly and explained in more detail.

“Gunpowder is an expensive item. Thanks to that, war, which is already a money-guzzler, has become even more expensive. If another war breaks out before we start the war in Italy and consumes war expenses, wouldn’t we need time to replenish those expenses? We would buy that much time. And we would gain soldiers and commanders with combat experience, but wouldn’t we also lose many soldiers and commanders that we painstakingly raised with money? Wouldn’t it also take time to replace those lost commanders and soldiers?”

“You could see it that way.”

Sung Sam-moon nodded, showing that he understood, and Yu Eung-bu also began to seriously consider Shin Suk-ju’s opinion with a serious face.

Watching them, Shin Suk-ju continued.

“And, from a diplomatic point of view, there is an easy way for the backers to replenish the war expenses consumed in this way. That is to reach out to the Italian cities that rely on them. It would be good if that was appropriate, but…”

Shin Suk-ju trailed off, and Sung Sam-moon immediately continued.

“It won’t be appropriate at all. When Ming [A previous Chinese dynasty that exerted influence over the region] was acting like the suzerain state, we experienced it often, and it will happen again here.”

“That’s right. In the worst case, the Italian cities will move to find other backers. And that will be the spark.”

At Shin Suk-ju’s words, Yu Eung-bu stroked his chin and muttered.

“Even if the intermediate process changes in various ways, a war will break out in Italy.”

“At least we’re buying time, so isn’t that a good thing? Especially, there’s a good reason to appease that hot-blooded Lorenzo de’ Medici.”

At Shin Suk-ju’s words, Sung Sam-moon made a face as if he had a headache.

“Is he hot-blooded, ignorant of the world, or just overly confident…”

Looking at the current situation between Florence and the empire, the hardliners in Florence, symbolized by Lorenzo de’ Medici, were advocating for an immediate war, and the empire was preventing it.

“There is still not enough time. Please wait a little longer.”

“How long do we have to wait! Our power is already the strongest!”

After a back-and-forth with the radicals in Florence, the empire was able to buy two years.

-Secure at least two years unconditionally.

It was the result of Shin Suk-ju’s desperate efforts to fulfill the order from Seoul.

“Why two years anyway? Why?”

“And I don’t understand the following order either. Increase the size of the secret coal warehouse built in Livorno by two times?”

The ambassadors, who had only received brief orders due to the distance and communication issues, could not hide their doubts.

“We’re going through all sorts of hardships to keep the existence of the coal warehouse in Livorno a secret, and now you’re telling us to double it? Do you think it’s possible to maintain secrecy?”

“We need to confirm this with Seoul again.”

The ambassadors immediately questioned Seoul. And the answer that came back after a long time made the ambassadors even more curious.

-That’s why you have to hold out for two years.

“Why!”

* * *

The reason why the empire needed two years was because of Shinji.

A massive saltpeter mine was discovered in Shinji. Or, to be more precise, they discovered a place full of saltpeter raw materials.

The Imperial Navy’s coastal exploration ship discovered a guano mine. [Guano is a natural fertilizer rich in nitrates, a key ingredient in gunpowder.]

In order to firmly make Shinji the empire’s own, Sejong and Hyang promoted the construction of a ‘maritime barrier’ on the eastern coast and sea of Shinji.

To complete this plan, most of the navy raised in Shinji was being deployed to the eastern sea of Shinji.

However, it wasn’t as if the empire was just standing by and watching the western coast and sea of Shinji.

Every year, they organized a small exploration fleet to go down the western coast of Shinji, surveying and investigating the environment.

However, compared to the nature of the work, which could be called persistent, the manpower was insufficient, and the progress was slow.

Thanks to this, the saltpeter zone in question was discovered only after Wan came to Shinji.

The exploration ship that discovered the guano mine immediately turned its bow and returned at full speed.

As soon as they arrived in Choshi, the captain of the exploration ship delivered an urgent report to Wan.

Wan, who received the urgent report, jumped up from his seat and cheered.

“This is heaven’s blessing for the peace of the empire! Deliver this to Seoul immediately! As quickly as possible!”

“Yes, Your Majesty!”

Seoul was put on alert after receiving the report from Shinji.

“Now that things have come to this, it seems we need to change our strategy regarding Italy.”

“That is correct.”

There were no ministers who opposed Hyun’s decision.

Frankly, when considering the peace and interests of the entire empire, the saltpeter mine discovered now was overwhelmingly more important than Italy. Especially at a time when Europeans, who had established bases on the Southern Continent, were starting to launch exploration ships one by one towards the east.

And saltpeter was a strategic material of utmost importance, regardless of whether it was the empire or Europe. In particular, the empire was importing all of its saltpeter from the Bengal Sultanate. If the Bengal Sultanate cut off trade or the supply of saltpeter was blocked for various reasons, a serious threat would arise to the empire’s safety.

Therefore, Hyun gave the highest priority to securing this saltpeter mine.

“The biggest problem is naval power. Most of the navy stationed in Shinji is currently staying on the east coast of Shinji. Warships can be built at the shipyard in Choshi, but people cannot. We need to take people from the Shinji Navy stationed on the east coast. Order the ambassadors to buy as much time as possible regarding the Italian issue.”

Hwang Sun’s words prompted Hyun to point out the problem.

“The problem is that time. How many years will it take, even if we keep it as short as possible?”

“It will take at least five years…”

“That’s too long. Let’s make it two years.”

“I obey your command.”

That’s how ‘at least two years’ was decided.

Meanwhile, Hyang, who received the report after Hyun, scratched the back of his head and muttered.

“Certainly, the problem that the geography part is not my area of expertise is being exposed here…”

Hyang was almost completely ignorant of fields that he didn’t like.

It was such an urgent matter, and as the eyes of surveillance on the empire were increasing, the empire only sent simple orders, and the ambassadors were the only ones who suffered.

* * *

Meanwhile, many things changed in Shinji as well.

The first to move was Jin-pyeong.

“Duke, we need to change the priority of construction.”

At Wan’s order, Jin-pyeong smiled brightly and immediately replied.

“That’s a matter of course! I will change it immediately!”

Wan, seeing Jin-pyeong moving as soon as he received the order, muttered inwardly.

‘He bet everything on the railroad, but does he like having more work to do? Truly incomprehensible.’

Thus, a new railroad heading south from Choshi began to be built.

Due to the importance of the matter, construction on all sections except for the sections in the finishing process was suspended. And all the manpower in charge of the construction moved to the west of Shinji.

In addition, workers from the empire who would participate in the construction boarded ships and headed to Shinji.

A war, not a war, in which the empire’s capabilities were concentrated, had broken out, and its opponent was time.