Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 968

968. Everyone’s a Sucker But Me… (5)

“Considering the Empire’s national interests, Naples must also be within the Empire’s sphere of influence.”

Just before the negotiations in Rome, Hyang, with a resolute expression, insisted to Han Myung-hoi, Shin Suk-ju, and Seong Sam-mun that Naples must be acquired. Han Myung-hoi and Shin Suk-ju nodded in agreement with Hyang’s words. However, Seong Sam-mun raised an issue.

“If we only consider national interests, it is indeed right for the Empire’s shadow to fall upon Naples. However, there is the matter of justification. No matter how the order of events has unfolded, our Empire is a foreign power. If we are not careful, many will criticize the Empire for interfering in internal affairs.”

Hyang smiled and replied to Seong Sam-mun’s point.

“That is a valid point. If we take the lead, that is what will happen. But what if we make them need us? No, they will definitely need us.”

“Excuse me? Why is that?”

When Seong Sam-mun expressed his doubt, Han Myung-hoi spoke up in Hyang’s stead.

“The unification of Italy is not just about integrating cities and kingdoms. There is also the matter of recovering territory, isn’t there?”

“Isn’t that obvious?”

“The territory that Italy needs to recover now is not just the Papal States, but also Turin and the surrounding areas in the north. And the armies of France and Spain are gathered there.”

“Ah!”

At Han Myung-hoi’s words, Seong Sam-mun exclaimed, understanding what he meant.

-The Kingdom of Naples must choose whether to join the unification of Italy or remain a separate state.

-However, it lacks the capacity in all aspects to survive as a separate state. Therefore, it will join the unification of Italy.

-To have a voice in Italian politics after unification, it must participate in the battles taking place in the north, whether it likes it or not.

-It will naturally become estranged from Spain, which has been the backing of the Kingdom of Naples until now, and will ask the Empire for help to protect the country’s safety.

Seong Sam-mun nodded, understanding Hyang and Han Myung-hoi’s calculations.

“Because of the problems in the north, Naples in the south will voluntarily come under the Empire’s shadow, so there will be less resistance.”

“That’s right.”

“If that’s the case, then there will only be one thing for us to do. That is to work to reduce even that small amount of resistance.”

“I trust in you all.”

“We will do our best.”

And in the negotiations held in Rome, Naples came under the Empire’s shadow. As Naples came under the Empire’s shadow, the Empire was able to exert a definite influence in southern Italy as well.

* * *

As the negotiations progressed, it was France and Spain, which had been holding out at the northern tip of Italy, that found themselves in a miserable situation. These were the countries that had arrived with great fanfare, thinking of dividing Italy into north and south. However, in just a few months, they were stuck at the northern tip, anxiously watching their every move. Even worse news was coming from Rome for the French and Spanish soldiers who were anxiously watching their every move.

The ‘Italian Army,’ which included the armies of the Duchy of Romagna and the Kingdom of Naples, had begun its northward advance. For the Italian Army now advancing north, the French and Spanish armies had changed from ‘a terrifying presence that made them tremble at the thought’ to ‘a trophy to be captured quickly.’

The morale of the Italian Army heading north was soaring, and the marching soldiers were full of vigor. On the other hand, the anger of the Imperial Army commanders at the Allied Forces headquarters was soaring, and the Imperial Army soldiers were walking around with murderous glares.

“You guys! Don’t you even think about supplies!”

“Are you just going to march north without thinking? How many times have I told you not to do that! How much effort have I put into teaching you!”

This was happening because they were suddenly burdened with rear support duties, several times more than when they were advancing south.

“I expected it to some extent, but…”

Yu Eung-bu, who had been listening to the complaints of his staff and subordinate commanders in the command room, looked at the map with a bitter expression. He knew to some extent the content of the negotiations held at the Apostolic Palace, and he had also anticipated that this kind of thing would happen to some extent. However, things happened faster and on a larger scale than he had expected.

“The other city guys might do that. But the problem is the Florence guys. The guys who had been doing okay according to what we taught them are acting just like the other idiots…”

Yu Eung-bu smiled wryly at Lee Si-ae’s complaint.

“Isn’t it common for everything to become a mess when politics gets involved?”

“That’s true, but… it leaves a bitter taste in my mouth.”

“It can’t be helped. After all, aren’t we a foreign power?”

At Yu Eung-bu’s words, Lee Si-ae and the others all nodded with bitter expressions.

“Isn’t it common for people’s hearts to change when their circumstances improve? Don’t worry about it, just do our job well.”

“I will keep that in mind.”

“Anyway, our Empire is also a member of the Allied Forces. First, let’s take care of the supply problem for those idiots who are going up without thinking. We’ll use the remaining time to gather the scattered units and prepare for battle.”

At Yu Eung-bu’s meaningful words, the expressions of Lee Si-ae and the staff changed.

“Battle, you say? Does the Commander-in-Chief think they will be defeated?”

“They’re going up there without thinking, so they won’t win easily. We need to set a good example then, don’t we?”

At Yu Eung-bu’s words, Lee Si-ae and the staff smiled wryly. Yu Eung-bu smiled similarly at them and continued.

“Even though they’re just hiding in holes and watching, they’re much more experienced than those reckless fools who are running wild without knowing what’s going on. There’s no such thing as an easy victory. So, if we’re going to show off, we need to prepare properly, don’t we?”

“That’s right!”

“So, prepare thoroughly.”

One of the staff members raised an objection to Yu Eung-bu’s words.

“Commander-in-Chief. According to the information and rumors coming in, the French and Spanish guys are packing their bags. There’s a possibility of an unexpectedly easy victory.”

At the staff member’s words, Yu Eung-bu pointed to a spot on the map with his baton and replied.

“The battle in Italy isn’t the end, is it? We need to prepare for the real battle. Don’t tell me you don’t know that the Navy is grinding its teeth right now?”

At Yu Eung-bu’s words, Lee Si-ae and the staff members replied in loud voices.

“We will prepare thoroughly!”

The place Yu Eung-bu pointed to was the port of Algeciras. It was a naturally fortified port located in Gibraltar. Gibraltar was a place that the Empire had been determined to acquire from the beginning of the war – or rather, from before the war. As the Italian campaign was being settled to some extent, the Empire had some leeway and began to initiate the capture of Gibraltar.

However, there was a small change for the Imperial Navy compared to before the war. Before the war, the atmosphere was very optimistic, but after the Battle of Corsica, they were in a state of extreme anger. Knowing the Navy’s mood well, as soon as Yu Eung-bu mentioned it, the Imperial Army also came to its senses.

-We made fun of them so much after the Battle of Corsica. Make a mistake in Gibraltar, right in front of the Navy? That should never happen!

After finishing the meeting and finishing his work, Yu Eung-bu smiled bitterly.

“Even though I’m the Commander-in-Chief, I’m still showing favoritism… Am I just an army man after all…”

* * *

While the armies that came with them were mindlessly advancing north, the politicians remained in Rome. Their battlefield was the conference room of the Apostolic Palace in Rome. And now, they were engaged in a heated debate with Han Myung-hoi. The topic of the debate was the railroad.

“Now that Italy is unified, I propose the construction of a railroad. You are well aware of the usefulness of railroads, aren’t you?”

At Han Myung-hoi’s words, all the leaders in the room nodded. Confirming the leaders’ favorable response, Han Myung-hoi proposed the following.

-The Empire will be responsible for building railroads throughout Italy.

-The Empire will be responsible for the materials and wages of the artisans involved in the railroad construction.

-Italy will be responsible for the workers involved in the construction. Here, the scope of responsibility includes wages, medical support, and securing food, clothing, and shelter.

-Once the railroad is completed, the Empire will cover 40% of the maintenance costs, and Italy will cover 60%.

-The profits generated from operating the railroad will be divided between the Empire and Italy at a ratio of 60% to 40%.

“Isn’t the profit distribution unfair?”

At Alfonso’s objection, the other leaders also nodded. In response, Han Myung-hoi asked back with a rather strange expression.

“I think it’s very accurate, no, quite a concession?”

“Why does the Empire take 60%? No, is that a concession?”

“The Empire is paying for most of the cost of building the railroad, so I think it’s a big concession to only take 60% of the profits. Hmm…”

After pausing for a moment, Han Myung-hoi sent a signal to the managers behind him. The managers who saw Han Myung-hoi’s signal soon brought in thick files and distributed them to Alfonso and the leaders.

“Those documents record the costs incurred in the construction of the Suez and Florence railroads.”

“Ahem…”

Alfonso and the leaders who were checking the documents all cleared their throats. This was because a considerable amount of money was written down than they had thought. What caught their attention was a special note written in the report related to Florence.

-Florence, as well as Italy as a whole, has a considerable amount of mountainous terrain branching off from the Apennine and Alps Mountains.

-If a railroad is built throughout Italy, a considerable amount of additional costs will be incurred.

“…If we provide some additional funds, even without the labor costs, would it be possible to adjust the shares?”

At Alfonso’s question, Han Myung-hoi looked back at the leaders of Venice, Milan, and Genoa and asked back.

“Can you afford it? You’ll be struggling just to rebuild the cities and towns destroyed by the war, won’t you?”

“Ahem! Ahem!”

“Ugh…”

At Han Myung-hoi’s question, the leaders of Milan, Genoa, and Venice coughed or groaned and turned their heads away. This was because Milan and Genoa had suffered serious damage from the Empire-Florence allied forces, and Venice had suffered serious damage from the Habsburgs. And this was the same for Alfonso. He had suffered considerable damage from the Imperial Navy, which had rushed in to destroy the Spanish fleet stuck in the port of Naples.

“Still, 6:4 is too much!”

“That’s right!”

In the end, after fierce bargaining disguised as negotiations, a distribution rate of 5.5:4.5 was decided.

* * *

Starting with the railroad, the Empire began to take many interests in Italy. The interesting thing was that they didn’t take anything openly. The best example was the ‘Empire-Italy Customs Agreement.’

“Now that Italy is unified, I think it is reasonable to abolish tariffs between the states.”

Starting with this, Han Myung-hoi recommended not imposing tariffs between the Italian states. These were tariffs that had existed until unification because they were virtually separate countries. It was an issue that could secure both justification and practical benefits, so the leaders agreed. After eliminating the tariff clause, Han Myung-hoi soon presented the next card.

“I propose a duty-free agreement between the Empire and Italy. The Empire will not impose tariffs on goods imported from Italy. Instead, Italy will not impose tariffs on goods exported by the Empire.”

“Huh?”

“Huh?”