Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 909

909. Alliance (3)

The generals of the Ordinance Army concluded their explanation with the following words:

“…If our proud French Grande Armée exerts its full strength, we can achieve our objectives. However, we will suffer significant losses in the process of subduing the alliance between Florence and the Empire.”

Charles VIII pondered the generals’ words, discerning their hidden meaning.

“Are you saying that Spain and Habsburg might benefit the most from this?”

“That is correct.”

“Hmm….”

After a moment of silence, Charles VIII considered the situation and turned to the assembled ministers.

“Then, what if we join the alliance between Florence and the Empire instead?”

The Chancellor immediately shook his head at Charles VIII’s suggestion.

“It is impossible. No, it is not feasible.”

“Why?”

“Because of Florence’s stated cause: ‘Italian Unification.’”

“I see….”

Charles VIII nodded at the Chancellor’s response.

* * *

France’s ultimate goal was to secure the Kingdom of Naples. This was not merely an invasion but a legitimate claim with its own justification.

Examining the relationships among European nobles and royals during this period reveals a surprising web of kinship.

Strategic marriages were commonplace to ensure the safety of territories and the preservation of vested interests.

Thanks to this, Charles VIII also had the right to claim the throne of the Kingdom of Naples. Furthermore, Milan initially, and then Venice, requested support, providing additional justification for advancing south into Italy.

Interestingly, Milan and Venice, like Florence, also advocated for ‘Italian Unification.’

However, France viewed these three differently.

Florence, having joined hands with the Empire, was an opponent to be seriously considered, while Milan and Venice were merely noisy dreamers. Well, the Sforza family of Milan were people to be taken somewhat seriously, but Venice had no value beyond providing justification.

* * *

“However, for France to confront the Empire independently would incur too great a loss.”

“We do not know how many Imperial troops are stationed in Florence. We must not underestimate them.”

“But, you see….”

Charles VIII, who had been listening to the objections raised by the Ordinance Army generals, raised a question.

“Is the Imperial Army really that powerful?”

Many nodded at Charles VIII’s question. All of them, like Charles VIII, were of the younger generation.

And Charles VIII and these individuals had another thing in common besides being the new generation.

They had never witnessed the Empire in battle.

Of course, the late King Louis XI had also never directly seen the Empire wage war. However, many of the commanders under Louis XI had personally witnessed how the Empire fought in Suez.

Moreover, Louis XI himself had experienced harsh real combat through the Hundred Years’ War. It was a war that began to shift from being centered on cold weapons to being centered on gunpowder weapons.

Following that, Louis XI keenly felt the power of gunpowder weapons, especially those made in the Empire, through the Suez War and the forceful annexation of the Duchy of Burgundy.

Therefore, Louis XI never missed the Empire’s movements, especially its military movements.

However, for the younger generation of France, symbolized by Charles VIII, the ‘power of the Empire’ was not easily grasped.

One of the reasons was that most of the veteran generals who had fought against England, in Suez, and in Burgundy had retired.

Another major reason was that France had broken away from the Empire and equipped itself with independent armaments.

As France began to possess large quantities of independent breech-loading single-shot rifles, war wagons, and standardized cannons, the confidence of the younger generation soared.

“Our French military power is the best in the world!”

“France is no longer the same as before, when we had to fight with swords and spears because the Empire wouldn’t sell to us!”

“Five-shot rifles? They are impressive. But we can make them too!”

In fact, copper cartridges for rifles and pistols had been developed and were being mass-produced after receiving positive evaluations.

In line with this, the development of France’s own five-shot rifle was progressing smoothly.

With this newfound confidence, the younger generation of France became skeptical of the Empire’s power.

* * *

At Charles VIII’s question, the generals of the army and navy, and the ministers, answered simultaneously.

“They are powerful.”

“Very powerful.”

At the generals’ and ministers’ answers, Charles VIII frowned and asked again.

“Our French weapons are also quite powerful, are they not? And the Imperial Army also dies when shot by bullets, do they not?”

One of the Ordinance Army generals stepped forward to answer Charles VIII’s question.

“Your Majesty’s words are not wrong. However, when we fire bullets, the Imperial Army fires cannonballs. Following that, they spray bullets with war wagons [armored vehicles equipped with firearms].”

“We also have cannons, do we not? Shouldn’t we also fire cannonballs?”

“The problem is that the Imperial Army fires cannons as if we are shooting rifles.”

“Huh? That… Ah? Ah? Ah!”

Charles VIII, who had initially expressed doubt, could not close his gaping mouth.

Following the expression of Hyang, Charles VIII was a military enthusiast. He collected all kinds of weapons and armor used throughout Europe and the Middle East, from swords and spears to gunpowder weapons from hand cannons to war wagons.

Charles VIII’s military enthusiasm was not limited to mere collection. He had actually commanded troops and conducted experimental attempts to increase the killing power of cannons and rifles.

The most representative example was his successful development of a replica of the Imperial Army’s favored ‘flying thunderclap’ [a type of rapid-firing artillery].

It was because Charles VIII was such an enthusiast that he was shocked.

‘For rifles to exert their full power in battle, there are two methods: sniping and volley fire. If we rephrase what the general just said, it means the Imperial Army is mobilizing a large number of cannons. Of course, we also use many cannons, but if it were to that extent, the general wouldn’t have used such an expression. Therefore, the Imperial Army is mobilizing more cannons than us.’

Having analyzed that far, Charles VIII asked the general who had made the statement again.

“According to the general’s words, the Imperial Army operates a larger number of cannons than our French Army… About how many? One… two times? Three times?”

“They operate overwhelmingly more.”

“Isn’t that too abstract?”

At Charles VIII’s grumbling, the general explained the reason.

“I saw the Imperial Army’s cannon operations in Suez, and they operated so many cannons that it was sickening to watch. But what was even more surprising was that even that many cannons were not the full complement.”

“So, how many cannons were there that were sickening to watch?”

“Excluding the cannons in the fortresses guarding the harbor, there were almost 50. I don’t know the number of cannons in the fortresses, but the number of gunports was almost over 100.”

Charles VIII closed his mouth at the general’s answer. Currently, France was diligently manufacturing and deploying cannons. Nevertheless, the number of cannons deployed in the army had only just exceeded 100. Of course, if the cannons mounted on the navy’s warships were included, the number would increase to over 300….

‘The Empire mounts over 70 cannons on just one Challenger-class ship… We have at most 20….’

Realizing the overwhelming difference in scale, Charles VIII turned to the ministers.

“As I know, gunpowder is not easy to make. Especially saltpeter [potassium nitrate, a key ingredient in gunpowder] is the biggest problem. Does anyone know how the Empire solved this problem?”

Like a true military enthusiast, Charles VIII immediately pointed out the most important point. France was also suffering from the problem of obtaining this saltpeter.

At Charles VIII’s question, the official at the lowest rank stepped forward to answer.

“India. I know they import it from the Bengal Sultanate in India.”

“India… Hmm… Ah! Blocking the sea route from India to the Empire… Oh….”

Charles VIII’s face brightened for a moment as he recalled the location of India, but then clouded over.

The idea of a naval blockade flashed through his mind, but he immediately gave up after considering who controlled the route in question and France’s naval power.

* * *

After continued discussion, Charles VIII and the younger generation had no choice but to acknowledge reality.

“Hoo~. It seems that France cannot annex Italy on its own.”

“It would be possible without the Empire.”

“But since the Empire exists, it’s just a pointless argument. But we can’t form an alliance with the Empire… So, are we to ally with that damned shovel chin [a derogatory term for someone with a prominent chin, likely referring to a specific ruler] and the hicks of Iberia [referring to Spain and Portugal]?”

At Charles VIII’s question, the Chancellor stepped forward to answer.

“That is the most reasonable alternative.”

Following the Chancellor’s words, the generals of the army and navy stepped forward to add.

“If Spain and Habsburg join us and expand the front, Florence and the Empire will have no choice but to disperse their forces. That will reduce the burden on us.”

“Not only will the forces be dispersed, but there will also be problems with supply. Then our chances of winning will increase even more.”

Charles VIII, who had been listening to the Chancellor’s and generals’ stories, wore a regretful expression.

“It’s a pity that we can’t monopolize Italy.”

“We only need to properly occupy the Kingdom of Naples. We can divide the rest appropriately.”

“I see… Then, research how to divide it in the best way for us and report it to me.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

And, less than two days later, information entered the Milwi’s disguised base in Paris.

It was thanks to the French officials and officers who had come to enjoy alcohol and courtesans and had drunkenly blabbered.

The Milwi’s executive, who was compiling reports by gathering information obtained through the courtesans, chuckled and muttered.

“How did the end of the ‘Wu-Yue Alliance’ [a historical alliance known for its eventual betrayal] end….”

* * *

A few days later, the generals of the French army and navy, and the ministers, gathered in one place once again.

The Chancellor, who stepped forward as the speaker, pointed to various parts of the large Italian map set up on one side with a pointer and explained the plan.

To roughly summarize the Chancellor’s remarks:

-France will take two things from Italy: the annexation of the Kingdom of Naples and the expulsion of the Empire.

-To this end, an alliance will be formed with Spain and Habsburg.

-In exchange for the alliance, Habsburg will recognize Venice and the northeastern Italian dominion, and Spain will recognize the dominion of Sicily.

-Spain will face the Imperial Navy. The naval power of Milan, Genoa, and Venice will also move with Spain.

-Habsburg will be in charge of the Italian ground war together with France.

-In this way, the Imperial Navy will face Spain, and the Imperial Army will disperse its forces to face our France and Habsburg.

“Not bad….”

Charles VIII, nodding with a satisfied face, soon made a decision.

“Proceed as planned.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”