Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 920

920. The Imperial March (2) – Assault Guison, Running on the Ground. (8)

Hyang devised this method inspired by the ‘Ems Telegram Incident.’

After hearing the French ambassador’s demands regarding the Spanish throne, Wilhelm I sent a telegram to Bismarck. Bismarck, upon receiving it, subtly altered it and leaked it to the press.

In the process, ‘the French ambassador’s rude behavior’ was amplified to ‘extremely rude behavior,’ igniting anger among the Prussian people who read the newspaper.

Ultimately, the ‘Franco-Prussian War’ erupted, fueled by popular support in both countries, each burning with animosity towards the other.

Hyang employed a similar, albeit slightly modified, tactic.

Hyang and the envoys from the participating countries conversed in Latin, with Hyang utilizing an interpreter for clarity. This was, after all, a matter of imperial pride.

The conversations between Hyang and the envoys were meticulously recorded through interpreters, and then, at Hyang’s command, translated into Italian—specifically, the Tuscan dialect spoken in Florence.

Given their accumulated economic and military power, the Florentines possessed considerable pride.

Posting this translation on the embassy wall was sure to elicit a strong reaction from the Florentines.

Printing only 200 leaflets containing the poster’s contents was another calculated move.

-After all, rumors are bound to spread. People who read the poster will talk about it, and the leaflets will be copied and scattered everywhere. But will the content be conveyed accurately?

-The content will inevitably be changed and amplified as it spreads, becoming even more sensational.

-But that’s not our responsibility. We only presented the truth.

* * *

The next day, envoys from various countries descended upon the Imperial Embassy, one after another, in a flurry of outrage.

“What’s going on here?”

“What on earth have you done! How dare you leak the contents of ongoing negotiations? Have you lost your mind!”

“That’s right! Have you forgotten the very essence of diplomatic negotiations? How can you leak confidential information without consent? This is a grave discourtesy!”

Shin Suk-ju responded to the envoys’ vehement protests with a relaxed demeanor and tone.

“His Majesty the Supreme Emperor decreed: ‘It is unjust for the Italian people to be ignorant of matters concerning their own fate. The truth, unvarnished, must be revealed to them.’ Therefore, I had it translated into Italian and posted.”

“How can the Empire act so unilaterally!”

Shin Suk-ju offered a sly smile in response to the envoys’ criticism.

“Why, do you believe this was solely the Empire’s decision? Florence clearly has a leader, does it not?”

“You mean….”

“Lorenzo de’ Medici, the Gonfaloniere [a historical Florentine magistrate], consented.”

The envoys were rendered speechless by Shin Suk-ju’s response. Shin Suk-ju, observing their expressions of embarrassment and anger, muttered inwardly.

‘It is certainly a discourtesy. But war is inevitable. If that’s the case, we must unite the hearts of the people. This is the most effective way to achieve that.’

“Mark my words! I will not forget this discourtesy!”

Ultimately, the envoys were forced to retreat, leaving behind only empty threats. Shin Suk-ju’s words followed them as they departed.

“Today’s events will also be posted on the wall.”

“Eek!”

The envoys, on the verge of shouting, forcibly suppressed their anger and retreated into their carriages.

The negotiations that followed the next day were even more unproductive, and the envoys’ demeanor grew increasingly grim.

* * *

As leaflets and rumors circulated, the reaction of the residents of Florence and the surrounding areas mirrored Hyang’s expectations.

“What do they take us for!”

“Why are those who aren’t even Italian trying to dictate what happens to our land!”

“Damn bastards!”

“Those who were living as barbarians when we were building the Roman Empire!”

The men of Florence and the surrounding areas, their pride wounded, flocked to the recruitment offices.

The sudden surge in applicants was immediately reported to Lorenzo de’ Medici, who, upon receiving the news, boasted to Hyang.

“What do you think? Our Florentine residents are incredibly loyal! They are the pride of Florence!”

“Indeed.”

While agreeing with Lorenzo’s words, Hyang thought to himself.

‘Who said that? Are Korea and Italy the only countries where people rush out and grab each other by the collar without looking back and forth when there is a car accident? They are people with terrible tempers.’

“This is truly heartening news. By the way… have you heard anything about the reactions in other regions?”

At Hyang’s question, Lorenzo’s face brightened even further.

“Things are getting very heated. Thanks to you, the tyrants are having a difficult time.”

Among Italian intellectuals, the idea that ‘Italian unification is an inevitable destiny’ had already taken root.

In this climate, the conservative pronouncements of the great powers’ envoys, who were seen as backers of major cities, ignited anger and resistance among intellectuals.

“The fate of Italy must be decided by Italians!”

“Foreign powers, get out!”

As this chaos deepened, those who had remained silent began to stir.

The Pope and the Kingdom of Naples.

“The cardinal sent by the Pope will arrive soon.”

Lorenzo de’ Medici’s expression, as he conveyed these words to Hyang, darkened considerably compared to before.

Hyang, noticing Lorenzo’s expression, turned to the ambassadors beside him.

“Who is the current Pope?”

“It is Alexander VI. His name before becoming Pope was Rodrigo Borgia.”

“What kind of person is he?”

At Hyang’s question, the ambassadors looked at Lorenzo, who, understanding the unspoken query, immediately answered.

“He is capable, but also prone to scandal. He can be a good ally, but also a terrible enemy.”

“You mean he is someone who is faithful to his own interests.”

Everyone in the room nodded in agreement with Hyang’s assessment.

Alexander VI and the previous Popes had been valuable allies in dealing with the Kingdom of Naples, which controlled southern Italy, and in suppressing Savonarola, who had been causing unrest in Florence. However, in other matters, they were fierce competitors.

* * *

A few days later, the cardinal’s arrival at the Imperial Embassy caused a stir from the outset.

“His Holiness is deeply concerned about this matter. Why is the emperor of a foreign pagan country attempting to interfere in the affairs of Italy, a land inhabited by Christians? He is the emperor of a pagan nation that has obstructed missionaries from guiding lost souls to heaven. Therefore, His Holiness has issued a strong rebuke. Any monarchs who continue to collaborate with pagans in the future will be held accountable and face excommunication.”

The envoys’ faces grew serious at the cardinal’s words. While the Pope’s power had diminished significantly compared to the past, his cooperation remained essential for resolving various political issues or concealing a monarch’s shortcomings.

In particular, ‘excommunication’ remained a potent political weapon.

* * *

“Hmm… a pagan….”

It was Hyang who broke the silence that had fallen over the conference room in the wake of the cardinal’s pronouncements.

“A pagan….”

Hyang, repeating the word ‘pagan,’ smiled and fixed his gaze on the cardinal.

“Listen, Cardinal. Are you aware that, from the perspective of our Empire, you are the pagans?”

“How dare you utter such a blasphemous statement!”

“I haven’t finished speaking yet.”

Hyang, silencing the cardinal, continued.

“When I was the Crown Prince, I inquired with the Vatican about the ancestral rites practiced by the people of our Empire. It has been over 60 years since I requested a response, yet none has been forthcoming. Are you obstructing the missionaries? I made it clear when I posed that question: ‘Until an answer is provided, missionary work will be unconditionally prohibited.’ Now! Who bears the responsibility for the prohibition of missionary work? I believe it is you, for failing to provide an answer for over 60 years?”

The cardinal, who had been triumphant moments before, now wore a troubled expression in response to Hyang’s scathing attack.

Over the past 60 years, the issue raised by Hyang had generated numerous conflicts.

Each time the power structure within the Vatican’s political factions shifted, the task of determining the answer to this question was repeatedly postponed. And, much like the military aspect, the Empire seemed too distant to warrant immediate attention.

“The ‘Land of Flowers’ [a poetic name for Korea] is too far away. We don’t need to worry too much about it.”

“We can use it politically in moderation and then decide on an answer roughly.”

It was due to such political calculations that no conclusion had been reached for over 60 years. Indeed, it had been largely forgotten.

Even though Lorenzo de’ Medici had intervened at one point.

“That matter is still under discussion among scholars….”

The cardinal attempted to gloss over the issue, but Hyang remained persistent.

“Your scriptures state that the Holy Spirit responds if you pray wholeheartedly and seek an answer. Why are you attempting to resolve it through human deliberation? If your decision contradicts the will of the God you profess to believe in, how will you account for that?”

“Ah… that is….”

The cardinal could only stammer in response.

‘I already anticipated this would be a problem!’

Hyang’s attack was sharper and more devastating than Rome had foreseen.

The countermeasure devised by Rome to address this problem was simple.

‘Enlist the support of other participating countries.’

To that end, the cardinal, acting as an envoy, invoked ‘excommunication’ as soon as he arrived.

However, Hyang launched a counterattack before the envoys could react. As a result, the envoys in the room retreated and observed the war of words between Hyang and the cardinal.

“And, in my opinion, it appears that you have come here not as a mediator, but as a stakeholder?”

“I beg your pardon?”

“The Papal States. They occupy a considerable portion of Italy, do they not?”

“That was a gift from King Pepin….”

“But, legally speaking, it is territory of the Holy Roman Empire. And….”

Hyang, slightly softening his tone, glanced at Maximilian I and continued.

“And, isn’t the current Holy Roman Emperor a monarch of the Habsburg family? In other words, wouldn’t that mean the true owner of the Papal States is not the Pope?”

Hyang’s remarks were a bombshell. Maximilian I and the members of the Habsburg delegation, who had been listening intently to Hyang’s words, now regarded the cardinal with curious eyes. And, observing the movements of the Habsburg delegation, the conference room began to stir with hushed conversations.

Hyang rested his chin on his clasped hands and continued.

“Since I have the opportunity to speak with a messenger sent directly by the Pope, I would like to ask something. I have read your scriptures before. But there was no mention of a ‘Pope’ in those scriptures? Is the position of ‘Pope’ in accordance with God’s will?”

“Such impudence!”

The cardinal shouted, but Hyang continued to press his point in a calm voice.

“The founder of the religion you believe in preached, ‘Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.’ So, what is the Pope who sent you now thinking? Why are you coveting what belongs to Caesar?”

—–

Hello?

I am Gukbbong, the author of ‘Black Enterprise Joseon.’

I am writing to explain to the readers about the issue of serial uploads.

Once I finish writing and correcting the manuscript, it is uploaded.

Some platforms allow direct uploading by the company, while others require an approval process.

Therefore, if I am late in writing the manuscript, there will be a time difference between platforms.

In other words, this occurred because I was slow.

I sincerely apologize for the inconvenience caused to the readers due to my underlying health issues and poor condition.

I will do my best to ensure that readers do not experience any further discomfort until ‘Black Enterprise Joseon’ is completed.

I would be very grateful for your continued support of ‘Black Enterprise Joseon.'”