Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 916

916. The Imperial March (2) – Assault Armored Train, Running on the Ground. (4)

The envoys attending as honored guests were contemplating similar thoughts.

‘They aren’t even considering defeat. Is this a declaration of war?’

‘A declaration of war? At this venue?’

‘Are they forcing us to choose between war and negotiation?’

‘The nature of that negotiation will be the problem….’

Hyang had already openly declared ‘victory.’ In such a situation, any negotiation would naturally place the Empire and Florence in the position of ‘victors,’ and the other nations in the position of ‘losers.’

If that were to happen, the nature of the negotiation was obvious.

‘Even if we were to wage war….’

The strongest military power in Italy right now was undoubtedly the alliance of the Empire, Florence, and Switzerland. Of course, Switzerland had declared neutrality, but even the Swiss considered themselves to be on the Empire’s side.

As the envoys looked at Hyang’s back, watching over the Imperial soldiers lined up in the dockyard, they were reaching similar conclusions.

‘He isn’t even considering the threat of assassination. Is this the *yoyuu* [余裕, composure] of a victor?’

‘Is this the true *mosup* [모습, figure/appearance] of an Emperor (Caesar)?’

‘The problem is that no matter what choice we make, there’s hardly any benefit to be gained!’

‘Is forming an alliance to oppose the Empire the only orthodox approach after all?’

While the envoys were engaged in complex political calculations as they looked at his back, Hyang was looking at the soldiers below him and thinking something else.

‘The military uniform I’m wearing is deliberately calculated and color-coordinated, but this is quite a coincidence, isn’t it?’

* * *

Originally, the Imperial Emperor was required to wear either the Imperial Army or Navy uniform depending on the time and place. When wearing the Army uniform, he would don the Army’s green uniform and an ANZAC-style slouch hat. For the Navy uniform, he would wear the distinctive white uniform with a white peaked cap.

However, Hyang had created his own military uniform.

‘Black is the best for overwhelming the opponent’s spirit!’

After creating a uniform unified in black, an unexpected result emerged.

‘Huh? The *Jeonlip* [전립, traditional Korean military hat] suits me surprisingly well?’

This was how the *Jeonlip* was chosen instead of the slouch hat, leading to the best possible outcome.

‘If I wear the *myeon-gap* [面甲, face armor] as well… Eh! That’s going too far!’

* * *

The coincidence Hyang mentioned was not about his uniform but the arrangement of the soldiers.

As it was a ceremony to welcome Hyang, all the soldiers were standing in full dress uniform and fully armed.

The harbor defense force guarding the military port wore dark gray, the sailors operating the ships wore white, the army infantry wore green, and the soldiers operating the tractors and artillery wore black uniforms, all neatly arranged in their positions.

With the massive black hull of the Assault Armored Train docked at the pier as a backdrop, the soldiers lined up in rows on either side of the red carpet looked like a scene from a famous science fiction movie.

* * *

While the envoys who filled the dockyard and listened to Hyang’s short and intense speech were filled with complex emotions, others showed a different reaction.

Afonso from Portugal, Louis from France, Ulászló from Hungary, and finally Lorenzo de Medici.

To explain in more detail, Afonso was the son of John II and the Crown Prince of Portugal.

Louis was the Duke of Orléans and the most likely successor to Charles VIII.

Louis became the most likely successor because all of Charles VIII’s children had died young.

Of course, Charles VIII was still in his twenties, so the future was uncertain.

Ulászló from Hungary had succeeded Jiří of Poděbrady as King of Bohemia, but he had handed over the throne to Matthias I under the Treaty of Olomouc. However, since Matthias I had no heir, he was the most likely successor.

Interestingly, all of them had been affected by the butterfly effect caused by Hyang’s intervention.

Without Hyang’s intervention, Afonso would have already been deceased due to a riding accident. However, the *cheolma* [철마, iron horse, referring to trains] he saw in Suez as a child changed his life.

He had become the ‘Portuguese version of Jinpyeong.’

He constantly summoned scholars and artisans to create Portugal’s own *cheolma*, and he even caused an uproar by trying to run away to study in the Empire, leading John II to issue a ban on leaving the country.

Thanks to this, he avoided the riding accident.

He had come of age recently but lacked experience, so he was only nominally the head of the delegation. However, a Crown Prince was still a Crown Prince. No foreign envoys looked down on Afonso.

The cases of Ulászló and Louis were slightly different.

In Ulászló’s case, the reason for the change was that Matthias I, who should have already died, was still alive and well. By adopting the Empire’s hygiene methods, rumored as ‘Eastern secrets’—such as always washing hands and bathing frequently—Matthias I had maintained his health.

Louis’s case was similar. In the history before Hyang’s intervention, Charles VIII died in 1498, and it was an accidental death, so there was still plenty of time left. However, after the deaths of his children, Charles VIII became deeply interested in the ‘Eastern secrets,’ making the future uncertain.

And Lorenzo de Medici was someone who needed no further explanation.

In any case, while most of the envoys were only growing more wary of Hyang, these individuals were looking at Hyang’s back with eyes full of admiration.

‘That is the *pumgyeok* [품격, dignity/class] of a ruler!’

‘A true ruler should be like that!’

‘I too shall become like that!’

‘He is my ideal type! I will learn everything without missing a single detail!’

* * *

After the short but impactful welcoming ceremony, Hyang boarded a specially prepared *cheolma* with the ambassadors.

Hyang, who boarded the special carriage with sturdy armor plates hidden beneath its ornate exterior, let out a light sigh.

“Hoo~. Now I can finally rest a bit. *Naegwan* [내관, royal attendant/eunuch].”

“Yes, Your Majesty!”

The *naegwan* who rushed to Hyang’s command helped Hyang take off his cloak and coat.

“Hmm?”

The ambassadors who saw Hyang’s coat looked at Hyang with surprised eyes.

Thick iron plates were hidden in the collar and chest area of the coat, which was made in a Chinese collar style.

Seeing the ambassadors’ expressions, Hyang wore a mischievous expression.

“I, too, value my life.”

‘Thinking about how I was beaten on the calves for trying to meet the *geomgye* [검계, a secret society of swordsmen/assassins] in the past….’

The ambassadors who were nodding at Hyang’s explanation soon realized another fact and were shocked.

‘No matter how you look at it, it seems incredibly heavy, but he didn’t even show it?’

‘Someone who will be eighty years old the day after tomorrow?’

‘Even though he inherited the blood of *Taejodaewang* [태조대왕, the founding king]!’

“What are you doing? Didn’t I say we’d be departing soon? Take your seats.”

“Yes, yes!”

As the ambassadors took their seats, Hyang began to check on the recent situation in Italy.

“Since Seoul is quite far, news is a bit slow. How are Italy and Florence doing these days?”

“The *baekseong* [百姓, common people] of *jeoja* [city/marketplace] also seem to be prepared for war.”

“Applicants are flocking to the Florence army’s recruitment centers.”

“The number of *oein* [外人, foreigners/outsiders] trying to access gunpowder depots and other key locations has greatly increased, so we are paying special attention to security.”

“The *jeopgeun* [접근, approach/access] of *oein* is concerning.”

Yu Eung-bu immediately responded to Hyang’s remark.

“We have already greatly strengthened security in cooperation with the Florence army.”

Hyang lightly shook his head at Yu Eung-bu’s reply.

“There are limits to blocking them from the inside. Hmm… The best thing to do is to increase the number of watchful eyes. Negotiate with the Medici family to offer a reward.”

“A reward… do you mean?”

“Yes, post a notice saying, ‘A large reward will be given for discovering and reporting anyone acting suspiciously,’ and actually give the reward. It would be even better to vary the reward depending on the severity, wouldn’t it?”

The ambassadors’ faces brightened at Hyang’s words.

“Indeed, that is so! If that happens, all the *baekseong* of *jeoja* will become watchers! It will be impossible to escape all their eyes and ears!”

“There will be those who conspire with the *oein*, so it won’t be impossible. But it will greatly reduce the burden.”

“That is so. I will implement it as soon as I arrive in Florence.”

“I see. By the way… Did the assault vehicles disguised as tractors arrive safely?”

“Yes. Only the final assembly remains.”

“The *gwan* [機構, mechanism] checks were done properly, right?”

“Yes. The artisans from Area 51 and Area 52 proceeded with their pride on the line.”

Hyang’s expression became much more relaxed at Yu Eung-bu’s answer.

“If the artisans put their pride on the line, I can trust it.”

“Your Majesty.”

Shin Suk-ju, who had been listening to the conversation from the side, joined in.

“What is it? Speak.”

“This subject has also seen the assault vehicles. It certainly seems to be a very powerful weapon, but is it really necessary?”

“Hmm?”

At Shin Suk-ju’s question, Hyang turned to Yu Eung-bu.

“Didn’t you explain it?”

“Y-yes, I did.”

As Yu Eung-bu answered urgently, Hyang turned back to Shin Suk-ju.

“If you heard the explanation, you should know why it’s needed? What do you think is the problem?”

“Yes, this subject also heard the explanation. However, I am afraid to say, I doubt whether it will do its part as well as you say.”

Shin Suk-ju’s subsequent words can be summarized as follows:

-If the enemy hiding in the trenches is the problem, shouldn’t we mobilize more *hwapo* [火砲, cannons]?

“…The *jaemul* [財物, wealth/resources] that goes into making and operating one assault vehicle can make at least 10 or more large *hwapo*. The usefulness of *hwapo* on the battlefield needs no separate mention, so wouldn’t it be better to make more *hwapo* instead? Compared to the assault vehicle, which is only used for assault battles.”

“That makes sense.”

Hyang lightly nodded at Shin Suk-ju’s words.

“However, the assault vehicle can fill the *bujokhan bubun* [不足한 部分, lacking part] of the *hwapo*. And, in this war, the one who solves that *bujokhan bubun* will be the victor.”

Yu Eung-bu, who nodded greatly at Hyang’s words, looked at Shin Suk-ju with a very displeased face.

“Are you saying that even after seeing the Liaodong War and the war between the Habsburgs and Hungary?”

“The *hwacha* [火車, rocket-propelled arrow cart] and *hwapo* used in the Habsburg-Hungarian war were all outdated and weaker than those of the Empire, weren’t they? And the number deployed was also small! There is no comparison!”

Shin Suk-ju, who insisted on no comparison, advised Hyang.

“Your Majesty! I believe it is better to deploy more large and powerful *hwapo* than slow, bulky, and heavy assault vehicles!”

“That’s not wrong, but… there’s one thing you’re forgetting.”

“Yes?”

Looking at Shin Suk-ju, who couldn’t hide his question, Hyang told him what he had forgotten.

“That we have to strike first this time.”

* * *

During the last Liaodong War, especially the trench warfare that took place at the Yalu River, the Imperial Army continued to analyze the lessons learned.

-Even if you lay *cheoljomang* [철조망, barbed wire], deploy large amounts of *hwapo* and *hwacha*, and dig trenches in multiple layers, breakthroughs are still possible.

-Now, the Empire’s enemies will also dig trenches and deploy large amounts of *hwapo* and *hwacha*, so what happens in this case?

The first alternative that came out of this analysis was ‘more powerful and more *hwapo* and *hwacha*.’

And the Empire began to develop and deploy more powerful *hwacha* and *hwapo*.

However, the Imperial Army’s *gomin* [고민, worries/concerns] did not end there.

-Defense is one thing, but what about when we attack?