Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 962

Two days later, a more detailed report was delivered to Yoo Eung-bu.

– Upon hearing the news of the Allied Forces’ approach, the Archbishop of Perugia immediately fled to the Vatican.

– The Perugia-based Church troops also retreated to the Vatican.

– According to information gathered from the residents of Perugia, the Archbishop stationed there fled to the Vatican with all his family and possessions.

– The Church troops not only took their possessions but also pillaged Perugia and nearby villages before retreating.

– Food and medicine are needed to supply the affected residents.

“Hmm… This is something…”

“The reports sent from Grosseto are similar.”

Yoo Eung-bu, after reviewing the report, wore an expression of disbelief.

“Aren’t Archbishops and Metropolitans supposed to be devout monks? But family, accumulating wealth… and the Church troops even pillaged… not much different from the monks of the Goryeo Dynasty [Korean kingdom from 918 to 1392] in the old days…”

‘This is why the policy of suppressing Buddhism was implemented back then…’

Yoo Eung-bu shook his head, having received reports of actions far removed from the doctrine of ‘preaching the providence of God and saving sentient beings.’ One of the aides, who had a similar expression to Yoo Eung-bu, suggested another possibility.

“Could they have used a scorched-earth tactic?”

“Scorched-earth tactic…”

Yoo Eung-bu mulled over the aide’s words and muttered with a sigh.

“Haa. I wish it were a scorched-earth tactic…”

* * *

Afterward, the bloodless entry into the Papal States continued. In some cases, they entered abandoned areas where everything had been taken away in advance, and in others, they raised the white flag and surrendered as soon as they saw the Allied Forces.

“This is just too much…”

The commanders of the Allied Forces marching towards Rome looked at the marching soldiers with troubled expressions. When they left Siena, the soldiers’ faces were full of determination and tension. However, the enemies they had expected to be waiting for them, filled with anger, were nowhere to be seen, and as the bloodless entry continued, the soldiers’ faces were filled with ease. It wasn’t just their faces that were relaxed.

The muzzles of the rifles loosely slung over their shoulders were often adorned with flowers picked from the roadside, and some soldiers even had bottles of wine dangling from the muzzles. And, to alleviate the boredom and fatigue of the march, a song that one or two soldiers started singing turned into a chorus. Folk songs from Genoa, Milan, Venice, and Florence sprang up from all directions, and the soldiers were excited.

“We can’t let those country bumpkins beat us with songs!”

As a kind of battle of wills broke out, the soldiers sang with veins popping out of their necks. The Imperial Army officers, watching the scene from behind, muttered with dumbfounded faces.

“They’ll know we’re coming from a hundred miles away.”

“That’s not the problem. Our guys are singing too.”

“That’s the problem…”

As the officers said, the Imperial Army soldiers and Swiss soldiers were also singing their respective folk songs. This was thanks to the relaxed atmosphere due to the continued bloodless entry and the sense of security of being in the rear. The Imperial Army officers reprimanded the soldiers several times to tighten discipline, but once loosened, discipline was not easily tightened. Eventually, conspiracy theories began to circulate among the exhausted officers.

“Could this be the enemy’s scheme?”

* * *

“Could this be the enemy’s scheme?”

“A scheme? You mean a scorched-earth tactic?”

Yoo Eung-bu’s senior aide immediately replied to his question.

“It’s highly possible. Rather than repeatedly wasting strength in unnecessary battles, they are boldly abandoning places to preserve their forces. Moreover, they are also relaxing the opponent’s vigilance, so it’s a win-win situation, isn’t it? That’s not all. By supplying food and medicine to the local people who had their food looted, the supply situation has become a mess. To be able to use such advanced tactics, there seems to be a quite skilled person among the enemy’s staff.”

“I see…”

Yoo Eung-bu nodded at the senior aide’s words. However, Yoo Eung-bu and his aides all knew that the current situation was not the enemy’s scheme but simply a case of them giving up and running away. Still, Yoo Eung-bu and his aides wanted to believe it was a scheme.

‘Otherwise, it’s too unfair!’

It was to escape the self-reproach that all the work they had done to reduce the Imperial Army’s losses, even a little, had been foolish. However, when the reports of interrogating the bishops and cardinals of the dioceses and archdioceses who had surrendered with a white flag came up, Yoo Eung-bu and his aides were able to escape from their self-reproach.

The contents of the report can be summarized as follows:

– At the beginning of the war, morale was high.

– However, they were greatly shocked by the fact that the power of the Empire and Florence was far stronger than expected.

– As France and Spain retreated, and the Habsburgs escaped from Italy, the pessimistic outlook became even stronger.

– As the main force of the Church troops withdrew to the Duchy of Romagna, there was no way to replenish their forces.

– The advance of the Kingdom of Naples army to the north completely led to the loss of morale.

“…So, they’re saying that they just gave up because they were being attacked from above and below at the same time.”

“That’s right. Perhaps the absence of the main force is the biggest reason.”

Yoo Eung-bu nodded at the senior aide’s explanation and looked at the map, then rummaged through the documents on one side.

“Let’s see… The ruler of the Duchy of Romagna is…”

Yoo Eung-bu rummaged through the documents, found the relevant report, and reviewed the contents again.

“Hmm… Cesare Borgia, the illegitimate son of the current Pope, a man in his mid-20s, but with great ability and ambition… Another illegitimate child?”

Yoo Eung-bu, who had focused on the word ‘illegitimate child,’ soon returned to the main point.

“The main force of the Church troops is in the Duchy of Romagna, right? The outcome there will be the watershed. The only good thing is that the main force of the troops heading there is our Imperial Army.”

Somewhat relieved that the most reliable troops had headed to Romagna, Yoo Eung-bu asked the senior aide.

“Where have the troops heading to San Marino reached now?”

“According to the report that came up yesterday, they should have arrived today.”

“Is that so? I’ll have to wait for the messenger again, boringly.”

“You don’t have to worry too much since our Imperial Army went.”

“That’s a relief.”

* * *

The next afternoon, a messenger from the troops heading to San Marino arrived at headquarters.

“Huh…”

The senior aide, who had checked the report brought by the messenger, checked the report several times with an unbelievable expression and then submitted it to Yoo Eung-bu.

“Things have become interesting. The Pope has messed up his child-rearing.”

“What do you mean?”

Yoo Eung-bu, expressing his doubts, took the report and read it, then burst into a hollow laugh.

“Haha! You’re right. He messed up his child-rearing.”

– Currently confronting the Church troops of the Duchy of Romagna. No armed conflict.

– Duke Cesare Borgia, the ruler of the Duchy of Romagna, has conveyed the following demands.

The attached document contained Cesare Borgia’s demands.

– If the Duchy of Romagna and his political status are recognized, he and the Duchy will actively cooperate with the Empire not only in the unification of Italy but also afterward.

“So, he’s saying that he’ll betray his father if his political stake is promised.”

Yoo Eung-bu, looking at the document with a dumbfounded expression, made an assessment of Cesare Borgia.

“There’s someone here who’s a capable minister in times of peace and a treacherous hero in times of turmoil.”

Yoo Eung-bu, who added a short report stating his opinion, ordered the aide.

“Deliver this to His Majesty the Emperor immediately. This is a matter of politics.”

“Yes, sir.”

* * *

“He’s certainly like Cao Cao [a Chinese warlord and statesman who lived in the late Eastern Han dynasty],”

Hyang, who had checked the report sent by Yoo Eung-bu, nodded and looked back at Han Myung-hoi, Seong Sam-mun, and Shin Suk-ju.

“What do you think?”

The first to speak to Hyang’s question was Han Myung-hoi.

“I think it’s good to accept his offer. It’s a good thing because we don’t shed blood unnecessarily, and if we think about the future, it’s beneficial for the Empire to increase even one ally.”

“Is that so?”

Next to speak was Seong Sam-mun.

“I think it’s better not to accept it. It’s good because we can avoid fighting, but shaking hands with someone who betrays even his father will tarnish the Empire’s honor. And, we cannot be sure that someone who has already betrayed will not betray again. Rather, it would be better to send additional troops to prevent their rash actions. I think it’s best to clean up Rome while they are just watching because they are pressed by military force.”

“That makes sense too. What do you think, Minister Shin?”

Shin Suk-ju, who was designated by Hyang, organized his thoughts for a moment and then answered.

“He seems to be good at recognizing the trend and finding his direction. If this is the case, he will thoroughly side with the Empire as long as he is sure that the Empire guarantees his interests. He is suitable to be used as a pawn, so I think it is good to shake hands.”

“I see…”

Hyang, who had listened to the three people’s answers, smiled strangely and muttered inwardly.

‘The values of the three people are still revealed in their answers.’

After looking at the three people for a while, Hyang turned his head and asked the waiting manager.

“Did you deliver a copy to the leaders of the alliance?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Then I’ll have to talk to them. Send someone to tell them that I asked to meet them.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Hyang, who gave orders to the manager, turned to the three people and continued.

“I have heard your opinions well. I think all the answers have valid reasons, so they are worth considering. However, this is not the Empire’s internal affairs but Italy’s internal affairs, so we will follow the decisions of the alliance leaders.”

“That’s an excellent decision.”

The three bowed their heads and answered at Hyang’s words. However, the three knew very well that although it was nominally Italy’s internal affairs, the current Italy could not escape Hyang’s influence. In other words, Hyang’s decision would soon become the alliance’s decision.

‘It’s just covering your eyes and saying