Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 954

954. South and North, and the Middle (1)

The naval battle in the Ligurian Sea, between Corsica and Genoa, was a brutal slugfest. Had the Portuguese navy not intervened later, the French and Imperial navies would have likely destroyed each other.

“No. The Assault Turtle Ship would have survived.”

Reviewing the report, Hyang imagined the scenario without Portuguese intervention. Over two-thirds of the French navy’s newest battleships would have been sunk, and the Imperial navy’s escort fleet would have been annihilated. The lone surviving Assault Turtle Ship would have rampaged through the remaining French fleet. However, since a single Assault Turtle Ship couldn’t sink the entire French fleet, the number of surviving French ships would have ultimately been greater.

“Then it would have been an even bigger headache… Hooo.”

Hyang sighed deeply and clicked his tongue.

“Tch! Now we have no choice but to accept Portugal’s favor.”

‘We could have won even without the help of the Portuguese navy!’

In the aftermath, many Imperial navy captains and most of the sailors insisted on this point.

“They only jumped in at the end and took the credit!”

The Portuguese navy’s smug display upon entering Livorno and Genoa after the battle grated on their nerves. However, Hyang and other high-ranking commanders acknowledged Portugal’s contribution.

“It’s annoying that Portugal is taking credit, but we have to give credit where it’s due. And this naval battle isn’t the end of it.”

At Hyang’s words, the gazes of the Imperial navy’s high-ranking commanders at the meeting all focused on Algeciras on the map.

Algeciras, in the history before Hyang’s intervention, was a Spanish naval port located in the ‘Gibraltar’ area. In this war, it was a key objective for the Empire.

“Portugal is well aware of Algeciras’s importance, and with Ceuta [a Spanish exclave on the North African coast] right across from it, they will do their best for their own safety and interests.”

The Imperial navy commanders all nodded. As they discussed future naval operations, a report arrived from Corsica.

-French navy mobilizing divers to search sunken allied ships.

* * *

The Franco-Spanish allied fleet and the Imperial-Florentine allied fleet clashed in the Ligurian Sea, north of Corsica. During the fierce battle, most of the Florentine navy’s battleships and eight escort ships from the Imperial navy’s escort fleet sank. Three of the eight sunken escort ships sank near the northern coast of Corsica.

The French navy, which had retreated to Calvi, seized this opportunity. All battleships that had participated in the naval battle were stuck in port for maintenance, which was also the case for the French navy. However, with the sea relatively clear, the French navy used fast ships to send a message to France.

-Severe damage to allied fleet.

Along with battle reports, they sent support requests, including replenishment of supplies and personnel, and a unique request.

-A significant number of sailors or fishermen skilled in diving are needed.

Soon after the divers arrived, the French navy used small boats and land routes to reach the sunken Imperial navy escort ships. Avoiding the occasional Portuguese and Imperial navy patrol ships, the French navy finally obtained what they wanted.

Byungsik Hwacha [a Korean multiple rocket launcher], Imperial navy cannons, and incendiary shells and fuses for the cannons. The salvaged items were sent to Calvi by land and to mainland France by fast ships. The French navy commanders had an ulterior motive for this salvage operation.

-Minimize responsibility for the defeat by obtaining and sending the Empire’s advanced weaponry.

The Empire’s weapons, especially those used only by the Imperial army, were renowned for their superior performance. The Hwacha and cannons were considered particularly exceptional. Consequently, various European countries sought opportunities to acquire them. The French navy commanders hiding in Calvi hoped to use this to offset their failures and gain favor.

* * *

The Imperial navy commanders and Hyang, upon confirming the report, shared the same thought.

“Now Europeans will also have Hwacha and cannons that are not easy to deal with.”

“The lieutenants were incompetent and caused a great deal of trouble. Please forgive our sins.”

As the commanders asked for forgiveness, Hyang replied with an indifferent expression.

“On the battlefield, capturing and being captured is commonplace, regardless of victory or defeat. Leakage was expected from the moment the Empire’s participation was decided. It’s not the generals’ fault. I will not hold you accountable.”

“Your Imperial Majesty’s grace is boundless.”

The commanders expressed their gratitude. Hyang, watching their complexions improve, muttered inwardly.

‘Finding out how it works and replicating it is another matter. If it were that easy, China would have surpassed the Celestial Empire long ago. And…..’

Hyang turned his head to see Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo diligently sketching. He smiled with satisfaction as he watched them capture his likeness in paintings and sculptures.

‘Even if the French chase after us, we just need to stay one step ahead. Fortunately, I have talented people to exploit.’

* * *

The ‘Corsica Naval Battle’ was won by the Empire. However, Hyang and the naval commanders considered it a ‘victory with scars,’ and later historians called it a ‘Pyrrhic victory’ [a victory that inflicts such a devastating toll on the victor that it is tantamount to defeat].

Although the French and Spanish navies suffered fatal blows, the Imperial navy also sustained considerable damage. The Florentine navy was almost annihilated, the Imperial escort fleet suffered serious losses, and the Challenger-class battleships of the Imperial fleet from Shinji were all stuck in the shipyard.

The Imperial navy immediately informed Suez of the emergency, and the Imperial navies in Suez and the Indian Ocean dispatched personnel. New escort ships launched from Prince Henry’s Port and Shipyard immediately headed to Italy across the Mediterranean.

France, Spain, Venice, and Habsburg also moved to reorganize their navies. The Mediterranean became a no man’s land, save for the Ottomans and pirates, who were also constrained. The pirates, previously hired as mercenaries, suffered from manpower shortages due to heavy losses.

As pirates suffered from a shortage of skilled personnel, the Ottoman Empire, which relied on them for naval power, also suffered. Consequently, the Ottoman Empire began to focus on training a regular navy, but this took time. As all related countries and groups entered a period of recovery, the Mediterranean became calm.

* * *

As the Mediterranean quieted down, the Apennine Peninsula became noisy. The training of soldiers who volunteered from Milan and Genoa was complete, and unit organization was finalized. To prevent alienating public sentiment, commanders from Genoa and Milan were assigned to units of soldiers from their respective cities. However, since few met the Empire’s standards, some units had commanders and officers from Florence.

There was some disharmony between the officers from Florence and the soldiers from other regions, but Hyang and the Imperial army quickly controlled it.

“It’s not the first or second time this has happened…..”

From conflicts between Joseon people and Jurchens in the distant past to conflicts between the natives of Shinji and mainland residents more recently, the Imperial army was accustomed to resolving such disharmony. Hyang and the Imperial army chose a simple method.

-Strict reward and punishment.

By adhering to this principle, the Imperial army forged the ‘(tentative) Italian Army’ into a cohesive force. As the force was quickly operational, the Imperial Army and the Florence, or rather, the Italian Allied Army Command, assessed the situation.

-France has finished reorganizing, but is only watching from Turin.

-The Spanish army, which had retreated from Alba, continued to attempt recovery, but was sluggish due to being blocked by Genoa. However, recently, as the Imperial Navy and the Florentine Navy entered maintenance, supplies began to resume.

-Venice, whose navy had collapsed, was urgently strengthening its army, but it was not easy due to Habsburg.

-Similarly, Habsburg, which suffered fatal damage to its naval power, was urgently reorganizing its forces, hiring mercenaries from Croatia, Slovenia, Bavaria, and Swabia.

-Croatia and Slovenia mainly hire naval forces. The Bavaria and Swabia regions are hiring mainly army forces.

The commanders of the Allied Army were lost in thought.

“Let’s put France and Spain aside and deal with Venice first.”

“We could be backstabbed.”

As the debate continued, Hyang finally intervened.

“It would be best to establish a defensive line centered on the Po River to contain France and Spain. Isn’t Venice the priority now? Considering the cause of unification, we should take Venice first. Only then can we protect the cause and reduce the number of foreign forces by one.”

The commanders all nodded. Until the Battle of Corsica, Habsburg had been passive. They are now actively moving, but they are behind. The answer was to push them out before Habsburg finished preparing.

Thus, the Imperial-Italian Allied Army’s sword was pointed at Venice.

* * *

Once the goal was set, the Allied Army Command summoned the commanders and held a meeting.

“…So, the first place we will head to is Venice.”

As soon as the interpreter translated Lee Si-ae’s words, the commanders of the Genoa-based units stepped forward.

“Our unit will take the lead!”

Lee Si-ae, examining the faces of the commanders, tilted his head.

‘It’s understandable that those guys are from Genoa, but what about these guys from Florence? Ah, of course, the soldiers in the unit are from Genoa, but…..’

Lee Si-ae pondered for a moment and came to a conclusion.

‘Considering the bad relationship between Genoa and Venice, it’s unavoidable. If I stepped back, there would be trouble…..’

In the end, Lee Si-ae accepted their request.

‘I don’t want any trouble either.’

That night, after finishing the unit deployment, Lee Si-ae emptied his glass and complained.

“Political maneuvering in unit deployment… Isn’t this the Chief Director’s responsibility? Why am I doing this…..”

And the Chief Director Yoo Eung-bu was suffering from political infighting among the politicians of Florence, Milan, and Genoa because of Hyang.

“Isn’t it too much for me to deal with them? Isn’t it a matter of status?”

It wasn’t wrong, so Yoo Eung-bu was suffering instead of Hyang.