Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 925

925. The Imperial March (2) – Assault Returnees, Running on the Ground. (13)

“Wouldn’t even the sturdiest steam engine eventually burst if the steam pressure gets too high?”

Hyeon nodded at Hyang’s words.

“It would be fine if it just burst, but it could harm us in the process, so let’s release some steam beforehand.”

“I agree with that assessment.”

-Releasing steam before Ming and Japan start thinking of dangerous ideas.

Hyeon, agreeing with Hyang, decided to persuade the court to hand over the maps to Ming and Japan. And the court readily agreed to their decision.

-Because they had already taken everything they needed.

The Empire had already secured the coastal area with guano mines in the southwestern part of Shinji. They didn’t need to focus on the southern coastal areas and the dense inland jungles, nor did they have the capacity to do so.

And thanks to already seizing the Mexica region, they could block the path from the south to the north. This was a huge advantage.

By blocking the path from south to north, the largest granary area in North America, symbolized by Louisiana—only Hyang knew about it, but now the Imperials were gradually realizing its value—fell directly into the Empire’s hands.

In a situation where they had literally ‘already taken everything they needed,’ Hyang, Hyeon, and the court made the decision to distribute the maps with a light heart.

Ming and Japan would compete in the west, and Europe would compete in the east. Even if Ming and Japan fought each other, or if Ming, Japan, and Europe bit and tore at each other in the inland of Shinji, it would become someone else’s problem for the Empire.

As long as they didn’t provoke the Empire.

That’s why Hyang and Hyeon were so eager for the war in Italy to happen.

If they saw the Empire’s true military power, they would hesitate for a long time before provoking it.

“However, if spending becomes too great, it won’t be good for the Empire either.”

Han Myeong-hoi’s assertion made Hyeon and Hyang nod.

“That’s right.”

“Therefore, I believe it is best to leak information to Europe by choosing a suitable target, rather than just letting it flow out.”

“Who do you think is the best target?”

After pondering for a moment at Hyeon’s question, Han Myeong-hoi soon named two.

“Portugal and Florence.”

“Reasons?”

“Portugal is strong but lacks the power to defend to the end, and Florence is also strong but has a loose tongue.”

Hyeon and Hyang both nodded lightly at Han Myeong-hoi’s words.

Portugal’s naval power was strong.

No, only its naval power was strong. Due to its absolutely small land and population, its army was inferior to France and Spain.

In the case of Florence, the late Cosimo de’ Medici knew the ‘benefits of silence’ well. However, Lorenzo de’ Medici was lacking in that respect.

He was generous to some extent and knew when to advance and retreat and when to bend the knee. But he was a bit loose-lipped.

No, it was the typical Italian chattiness that was the problem.

Thanks to that, the ambassadors did not share more secrets than necessary.

‘Huh? Just a little? Just a little?’

Feeling that the intensity of Hyang and Hyeon’s agreement was weak, Han Myeong-hoi hurriedly continued.

“The strength of Portugal and Florence can be used advantageously by our Empire. Portugal can use its naval power, and Florence has its army and political justification.”

After pondering for a moment at Han Myeong-hoi’s words, Hyeon turned to Hyang.

“What do you think?”

“The decision of state affairs is Your Majesty’s authority. I am merely an advisor.”

At Hyang’s words, Hyeon ordered Han Myeong-hoi.

“Then, I will accept the Prime Minister’s plan. The Prime Minister should prepare and submit the order.”

“I obey the command.”

This was how Hyang started the work in Florence.

Portugal would immediately recognize the value of this map and would gladly join hands with the Empire.

And Florence, which traded between France and Habsburg even in these times, would unknowingly spread this rumor.

* * *

The next day, around noon, the Portuguese delegation invited by Hyang visited the embassy.

“Welcome, His Majesty the Supreme Emperor is waiting.”

Shin Suk-ju, who greeted the delegation, led them to the conference room. Following behind Shin Suk-ju, Prince Afonso was in a complicated state of mind.

‘Why suddenly? Why only us? It’s an important matter, but what is it? His Majesty told me not to act rashly….’

He was merely a symbolic presence in the delegation due to his shallow experience, but he was the one who would succeed King John II and become the ruler of Portugal.

“Please come in.”

“Thank you.”

Two hours later, the Portuguese delegation left the embassy.

“Return as quickly as possible!”

Following the urgent order, the carriages carrying the delegation and the guards ran through the streets of Florence at full speed.

And the lights in the lodging where the Portuguese delegates stayed burned all night.

The actions of the Portuguese delegation, who stayed in their lodgings, also caught the eyes and ears of other delegations.

“Why is Portugal like that?”

“They’ve been acting like that since they came back from the Imperial Embassy, what kind of story did they hear?”

The envoys of the great powers released people to solve the mystery. And immediately, all sorts of rumors came in.

They were rumors mixed with bluff and plausible lies, but the envoys were able to find a common thread within them.

-The Empire made an offer that Portugal couldn’t refuse!

“An offer they can’t refuse… what could it be?”

“Will we find out at the next meeting?”

The envoys of the great powers eagerly awaited the holding of the next meeting.

* * *

And at the meeting that reopened after a five-day recess, the envoys’ suspicions grew stronger.

As soon as the meeting began, Prince Afonso rose from his seat and declared.

“Representing the Kingdom of Portugal, this Prince has determined that the Empire’s proposal is extremely reasonable. Accordingly, this Kingdom declares that it will fully cooperate with the Empire and Florence!”

The conference hall was instantly filled with commotion at Prince Afonso’s declaration.

The envoys attending the meeting spoke with their aides with urgent faces, and the aides spoke with each other.

“Silence! Be quiet!”

The commotion in the conference hall subsided at Shin Suk-ju’s cry. Shin Suk-ju, who calmed the commotion, asked Afonso.

“We are very grateful for your support of Florence and our Empire. However, confirmation is needed. Is the declaration just now the definite will of Portugal?”

Shin Suk-ju’s gaze, asking the question, was fixed on the Portuguese officials behind Prince Afonso. Among the Portuguese officials who received Shin Suk-ju’s gaze, the vice-envoy opened his mouth.

“Yes, the declaration made by the Prince is the will of the Kingdom of Portugal.”

As the highest-ranking person in charge of the delegation affirmed, the faces of the other envoys became even more serious.

‘What did the Empire promise Portugal!’

‘A proposal that Portugal would risk war for?’

Due to the complicated situation caused by Portugal’s sudden action, Louis and Maximilian I strongly requested a recess, which was accepted.

* * *

The envoys of the great powers, who hurriedly stopped the meeting and came out, released people once again.

“Find out immediately what that ‘irrefutable offer’ is!”

“Find out by any means!” The subordinates who received the orders from the higher-ups began to inquire with all their might.

As time passed, the connections and heavy money bags that had been built up in the meantime took effect, and those who secured information immediately reported to their superiors.

“A map? Just that?”

“It is said to be a map of a place called Shinji in the ‘Land of Flowers’ [referring to the Empire].”

“Shinji? Find out more details! Don’t worry about the money!”

“Yes!”

As time passed, more detailed information came in.

-The map that the ‘Land of Flowers’ promised to give has a significant portion of the eastern coastline of the southern region of Shinji recorded on it.

-It’s not just the coastline. The map shows the territory of the ‘Land of Flowers’.

-The ‘Land of Flowers’ has confirmed that they do not care about areas outside their territory!

-The problem is that the area is as big as the ‘Unknown Southern Continent’ [likely referring to South America]!

“Is this true?”

“According to the Florentine merchant who told me, Lorenzo de’ Medici was also shocked when he saw the map.”

“Okay, go out.”

The envoys of France, Spain, and Habsburg, who obtained the information with a slight difference, had serious faces.

“This situation has become complicated.”

* * *

The envoys of the great powers once again began to organize and consider the current situation and their relationship with the Empire.

The most complicated situation here was France.

-Looking only at Suez, it is a community of interest with the Empire.

-However, when looking at the interests in Italy, the Empire is the most powerful competitor.

-Considering the future of France, colonies are needed. However, they are already far behind in the colonial competition in Africa.

-What if they seize the area that the Empire promised not to touch before Portugal?

“Looking only at this, it would be right to withdraw from Italy and reach out to the Empire even now.”

The French officials who were present all nodded, but did not forget what the problem was.

“However, if that happens, the face of our great France will be damaged.”

“That’s not all. We don’t know what benefits can be obtained from Shinji, or how much can be acquired. However, we already know everything about Italy.”

“That’s right. In particular, we cannot know whether the Empire has truly conceded out of goodwill, or whether it has abandoned it because it is a useless area.”

At the official’s point, Louis expressed doubt.

“Judging by the fact that Portugal immediately sided with the Empire, it doesn’t seem like abandonment?”

“Isn’t the Prince of Portugal just a young boy?”

“The people who came with him are not all young boys.”

“Portugal is a small country. It may be a great benefit to them, but it is highly likely that it will not be to us.”

“Then should we abandon Shinji and focus on Italy?”

Most of the officials present at Louis’ question answered similarly.

“I think that would be more reasonable.”

“It’s not too late to move after seeing Portugal’s movements regarding Shinji.”

The officials’ answer was ‘Italy first’. However, Louis’ face did not brighten easily.

“That’s fine, but I’m worried that the Empire’s army has already entered Italy. And I’m worried about Spain too. Spain might be satisfied with defending Naples and instead attack Portugal.”

The relationship between Spain and Portugal was ambiguous. They were working to merge each other from the beginning because the royal families of the two countries were related. Therefore, the monarchs of the two countries claimed that they had the right to be successors when the throne of the other country became vacant.

But, the map of Shinji is passed on to Portugal? Spain, which is superior in all aspects except naval power, could invade Portugal instead of Italy.

Louis was worried about this part. At the same time, Spain was also having similar concerns.

“France might give up Italy and attack Portugal.”

Meanwhile, Maximilian I of Habsburg was wearing a satisfied smile.

“This situation is getting interesting.”