Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 919

Even though the outcome of the meeting was predictable, they couldn’t refuse to attend.

“Because there’s a sliver of possibility…”

“To at least have a semblance of justification…”

Resigned to a likely failure, the envoys made their way to the Imperial Embassy in Florence.

The sight of magnificent carriages, escorted by knights in gleaming armor and helmets, passing through the grand main gate of the Imperial Embassy was truly impressive.

To witness this rare spectacle, the residents of Florence gathered around the embassy entrance, forming a long, eager crowd.

“Wow! It’s the Medici!”

“It’s the Gonfaloniere [the head of the Florentine government]!”

The residents of Florence cheered upon seeing the carriage bearing the Medici family crest.

When Lorenzo de Medici briefly appeared in response to the cheers, the crowd’s enthusiasm surged.

“Gonfaloniere! Gonfaloniere!”

“Long live Florence!”

“Glory to Florence!”

“Long live Italy!”

Amidst the cheers of the Florentine residents, the Medici family’s carriage entered, and the embassy’s main gate was promptly shut.

* * *

Upon arriving at the embassy, the envoys were immediately directed to the main conference room. However, the aides accompanying the envoys were stopped by the Imperial Army.

“What is the meaning of this!”

“You must undergo a brief security screening.”

“What an outrage!”

The aides protested vehemently, but the officers commanding the Imperial Army remained impassive.

“Please understand that this is a necessary precaution to prevent any unfortunate incidents.”

“Insolent!”

“Refuse, and you will be denied entry to the conference room!”

Faced with the Imperial Army officers’ unwavering stance, the aides reluctantly submitted to the search.

The Imperial Army’s security check was meticulous.

First, all the daggers that men of that era routinely carried on their waists were collected and sealed in separate boxes. Then, after removing their ornate coats adorned with gold and silver, their entire bodies were scanned with a large wooden stick fitted with a magnet.

Clang!

If any metal was concealed in their clothing, the magnet would naturally attract it, and those individuals were escorted to a separate area for a more thorough investigation.

When more than three people were taken to this separate area, even the most vocal aides quietly complied with the search.

‘If it’s just jewelry, it’s a relief, but if it were a weapon…’

‘We could face severe repercussions!’

Meanwhile, inside the conference room, the envoys who had entered earlier were lodging similar protests with the ambassadors.

“This is an insult!”

“They are honorable nobles representing their respective nations!”

Shin Suk-ju stepped forward to address the envoys’ complaints.

“And they are also individuals who might aspire to become infamous heroes. What if someone, thinking, ‘I don’t care about infamy; I will etch my name in history!’ were to cause an unfortunate incident?”

“That’s…”

“Surely not…”

Shin Suk-ju’s pointed remark silenced the envoys. The allure of ‘leaving one’s mark on history, even through notoriety’ was a potent temptation. Moreover, among the nations participating in this conference, few shared amicable relations.

“Ugh…”

“We will certainly raise this issue later! Don’t think you can simply dismiss it!”

With a muttered threat, the envoys took their seats. Shortly after, the aides who had cleared security entered the conference room. The envoys’ expressions shifted dramatically as the aides hurried over to deliver whispered reports.

“Is that so?”

“You fools!”

The envoys’ reactions to the aides’ reports varied sharply.

“We’ve gained an advantage before the negotiations even began.”

Some envoys looked at their rivals with undisguised glee.

“You incompetent fools!”

Others were furious, having suffered setbacks before the conference had officially started.

* * *

After a short delay, an official emerging from a side door in the conference room announced in a loud voice:

“The Supreme Emperor is entering!”

At the official’s announcement, everyone in the conference room rose to their feet to greet him.

Thud, thud.

With the heavy sound of hobnails embedded in the soles of his cavalry boots, Hyang entered the conference room, wearing his distinctive black uniform and war hat.

“Thank you for traveling so far. Welcome. Please, everyone, be seated.”

At Hyang’s words, the envoys and aides, resuming their seats, once again felt a palpable sense of pressure as they gazed at Hyang in his imposing black uniform.

‘What is this pressure…’

‘My chest feels constricted…’

Struggling to take deep breaths while observing Hyang, the envoys noticed the left arm of his black coat.

A small imperial flag, featuring the Taegeuk [Korean symbol of balance] and Palgwae [the eight trigrams used in Taoist cosmology] embroidered in gold thread on a black background, was affixed to the shoulder of his left arm.

‘A national flag on his clothing?’

‘Is he implying that he embodies the nation itself?’

“Then, let us commence the conference.”

As Hyang declared the conference open, the envoys snapped out of their reverie and focused their attention.

* * *

The start of the conference was, predictably, marked by Hyang’s preemptive strike.

“The reason I have journeyed all the way to Italy is due to the urgent situation of our ally, Florence. I have been informed that our valued ally, Florence, is facing unjust threats, and my aim is to resolve this matter amicably.”

Louis from France immediately countered Hyang’s statement, which was translated into Latin by the imperial interpreter.

“Our France is also a staunch ally of the Empire. However, it sounds as if we are unfairly pressuring Florence.”

“Isn’t that the reality?”

“That is not the case. Florence is disrupting the peace of the entire Italy, so we are merely offering counsel to prevent further escalation.”

“Florence is disrupting the peace of Italy?”

“Precisely. Florence is inciting unrest among other Italian cities by advocating for ‘Italian unification.’ In fact, it is Florence that has acted unfairly.”

As soon as Louis finished speaking, the envoys from Spain and Habsburg echoed his sentiments.

“That’s correct! That’s why those who were in turmoil sought our assistance, and we simply responded to their plea!”

“It is Florence that has acted unfairly. What could be more unjust than undermining the peace that Italy has enjoyed until now?”

“Hmm…”

At the envoys’ words, Hyang leaned back in his chair and offered a peculiar smile.

Seeing that expression, the ambassadors simultaneously felt a chill run down their spines.

‘Ugh! That expression! I never want to witness that expression again, not even in my nightmares!’

‘If I hear that clicking of the tongue…’

‘Ugh… Just the thought of it sends shivers down my spine…’

“Tsk!”

With the sound of a tongue clicking that made the imperial officials wince, Hyang began his counterattack, addressing each point systematically.

“From what I understand, Florence is not alone in advocating for ‘Italian unification’? I believe Milan, Genoa, and Venice have also voiced similar aspirations? So why is Florence singled out as being unfair?”

“Well… that’s…”

“Are you suggesting it’s acceptable to condemn someone else for having a child out of wedlock while celebrating it as ‘the beautiful fruit of love’ when it suits your own interests?”

“That analogy is somewhat… inappropriate.”

At Hyang’s words, the envoys blushed and appeared embarrassed. They were at a loss for words, confronted with an analogy that criticized the European aristocratic society, rife with affairs and scandals.

Hyang’s assault continued.

“And those who have remained disunited since the fall of Western Rome are now seeking to unite once more. I see no justification for obstructing this?”

“If that occurs, the peace we have maintained until now will be shattered!”

“For whose peace?”

At Hyang’s question, Maximilian I from Habsburg raised his voice.

“For the peace of Italy, indeed, the entire Europe!”

“Tsk!”

Once again, Hyang clicked his tongue, and Maximilian I momentarily flinched and became disoriented.

‘Why? Why! Why did I react this way to that tongue-clicking sound? Why!’

Regardless of Maximilian I’s internal turmoil, Hyang immediately countered.

“The people of Italy desire unification, yet you argue that they should endure the status quo because it will disrupt the peace of Europe? Is this not unjust? What is this if not the arrogance of the powerful?”

“For the sake of peace, some sacrifice is inevitable!”

“Is the Habsburg envoy genuinely seeking peace, or is he attempting to safeguard his vested interests under the guise of peace? No matter how loudly you proclaim peace, do you believe the Italian people in the streets will be convinced?”

“…”

As Maximilian I fell silent, at a loss for words, the envoy from Spain stepped forward this time.

“Is the Empire not also deploying troops to Italy to secure its own advantages?”

“Tsk tsk tsk… The envoy from Spain should clarify. What benefits does our Empire stand to gain from acquiring Italy?”

“…”

At Hyang’s question, the envoy from Spain looked embarrassed and fell silent.

As Hyang pointed out, the Empire had little to gain even if it acquired Italy.

The Empire was already reaping substantial profits through the Suez Canal. From the Empire’s perspective, acquiring Italy offered no particular advantage.

‘In fact, it might even be a detriment…’

Observing the Spanish envoy, who was frantically searching for an answer, Hyang continued.

“Italians residing in Italy are striving to establish a unified Italian state. The Empire has chosen to support Florence because this aspiration is commendable. I ask the envoys gathered here: Should Italians living on Italian soil be denied the right to live as citizens of a unified Italian state? Why? The French live as citizens of France, and the Spanish live as citizens of the United Kingdom. But why is it impossible for Italians?”

“…”

The ministers could not immediately respond to Hyang’s words.

‘This is not going well, not at all!’

In the end, Louis from France stepped forward and addressed Hyang.

“Perhaps we should adjourn for today, as it is the first day? It appears that some envoys may not have adequately prepared, given the circumstances.”

“Typically, the first day is reserved for introductions, so that may be the case. Then, let us conclude here for today. How would you feel about resuming the meeting the day after tomorrow?”

At Hyang’s suggestion, Louis responded.

“That seems like a very appropriate interval. I believe the other envoys would concur.”

At Louis’ words, the other envoys appeared uneasy.

‘Those two are orchestrating everything.’

However, it was difficult to object. Aside from the Empire, France was the most powerful nation present. Furthermore, they needed time to formulate a logical response to Hyang’s arguments.

Ultimately, the other envoys had no choice but to agree.

“Then, let us reconvene the day after tomorrow.”

As the envoys entered their carriages and departed from the embassy, they sighed deeply.

“Hoo~. This opponent is proving to be formidable.”

* * *

Before sunset that day, the envoys once again realized that they had been outmaneuvered.

“A significant event has occurred!”

The lower-ranking officials and servants who had ventured outside found the envoys with expressions of dismay.

“What significant event? Has the Emperor suddenly passed away or something?”

“No! The records of today’s meeting have been posted on the walls of the Imperial Embassy!”

“What!”

The envoys who received the report were aghast and rushed outside.

Simultaneously, Hyang was receiving a report from the ambassadors.

“A large number of Florentine residents have gathered to view the posters on the wall.”

“Is that so? Were the leaflets also prepared?”

“Yes. As you instructed, we printed 200 copies and distributed them. However, is 200 copies not too few?”

At Seong Sam-mun’s question, Hyang smiled slightly and replied.

“No, it’s just right. If there were more, it would appear deliberate, but with that quantity, we can attribute it to the actions of a stubborn old man.”

“Yes…”

After dismissing the ambassadors, Hyang, left alone, gazed out the window and muttered.

“It’s all about propaganda…”