Black Corporation: Joseon - Chapter 656

Episode 656: This time we also brought firewood, and a lot of it. (2)

Before Giovanni departed for the empire, messengers from the allies met in Florence.

This was because France had announced that it would enter the war in earnest. And France’s participation in the war was a sufficient variable to change the situation of the war.

France was a recognized military power even at this time. There were also many soldiers with rich combat experience during the Hundred Years’ War.

A messenger sent by Charles VII announced France’s decision to a gathering of Cosimo de’ Medici Henry Mehmet II.

“…So I plan to deploy 30,000 troops in the first round.”

Henry and Mehmed II, who had been listening to the messenger with chewed faces, opened their mouths as soon as the messenger finished speaking.

“Primary?”

“30,000 for the first round? “Is that possible?”

The French messenger responded to Henry and Mehmet II’s comments with a confident face.

“We are expecting about 50,000 people, including the first 30,000 people. Of course, if necessary, we can increase the size further.”

“Is it possible?”

Both Henry and Mehmed II reacted negatively.

* * *

According to common sense in Europe and the Middle East at the time, an army of the size mentioned by the French envoy was rarely mobilized unless it was an all-out battle in which the national fortune of the country was at stake.

It’s a thing of the past, but during the Crusades, the number of crusaders who came from all over Europe with religious zeal ranged from 10,000 to 20,000. And in history before the intervention of Xiang, the number of Ottoman troops at the time of the capture of Constantinople ranged from 50,000 to 80,000. Of course, there was a claim that 300,000 people were mobilized, but this was acknowledged as an exaggeration.

In this situation, the statement made by the French envoy, ‘If a total of 30,000 won and 50,000 people are needed in the first round, more than that can be mobilized,’ could not be trusted.

* * *

Although Portugal and the Ottomans, the main forces of the alliance, showed that they could not be trusted, the French messenger was still confident.

“Other countries may be impossible, but ‘Great France (la grande france)’ is possible.”

This was not a lie from the French messenger. At the time of the ‘Battle of Agincourt’, which marked a milestone in the Hundred Years’ War, France mobilized approximately 36,000 troops.

Of course, they were defeated by the British army, which numbered only 6,000 at the time.

But Henrik and Mehmet were not easily convinced.

“Is there going to be a lot of backlash? “Are you okay?”

To Henry’s point, the French envoy responded curtly with an expression of displeasure.

“I appreciate you worrying about French internal affairs, but that’s not happening. The Estates General also actively supports it.”

This was true.

When Charles VII, who decided to actively participate in the war, announced this decision, the Estates General actively supported it.

The nobles saw it as a good opportunity to share the power concentrated in the king, and the clergy could not miss the ‘superiority over Jerusalem’ and the Vatican.

So did city representatives. Only a fool would miss out on a great opportunity to secure a base for direct trade with the ‘Land of Flowers.’

Because it was an exquisite situation in which everyone’s interests were aligned, the Estates General actively supported Charles VII’s decision.

* * *

“… So there is no need to worry about mobilizing troops. The problem is firepower. “France also demands the opportunity to participate in the distribution process of weapons imported from the ‘Land of Flowers.’”

Mehmed II responded to the French envoy’s request.

“Purchase, not distribution.”

“You’re asking for a chance to buy it.”

At those words, Henry and Mehmet II looked at Cosimo at the same time.

Cosimo, who was asked an unspoken question, took a moment to answer.

“If you tell me the type and quantity of weapons you need, I will get them for you. “The problem is the payment.”

“Don’t worry about the payment issue. If necessary, I will use a loan. Instead, I would like you to reduce the price as much as possible.”

In response to the French envoy’s request for a discount, Cosimo glanced at Mehmet II and responded.

“If you accept the conditions proposed by the Empire, a more favorable discount is possible.”

“What are the conditions imposed by the empire?”

In response to the messenger’s question, Cosimo explained the conditions demanded by the empire.

After hearing Cosimo’s story, the lion shook his head.

“The part about ‘establishing a corporation and dividing shares to prevent conflicts between related parties’ is okay, but it is difficult to accept that ‘Kingdom of Flowers’ owns 40/100 of the shares.”

“Osman accepted.”

In response to Mehmet II’s words, the French envoy spoke with an ambiguous expression, whether ridiculing or pitying.

“It doesn’t matter because Ottoman’s decision is Ottoman’s will, but I think France needs to reconsider. We fight the war and we do the construction afterward, so why should the ‘Land of Flowers’ get the most benefit? “This is unfair.”

“If you’re that dissatisfied, you can leave.”

Mehmet II responded to the French envoy’s words with a sharp voice.

“Anyway, the country that is shedding the most blood in the war right now is the Ottomans. I also know that less blood is shed because of the empire’s weapons. That’s why Osman doesn’t think it’s unfair.”

“Just because of weapons? under!”

The French envoy was so shocked that he could not speak, but Mehmet II smiled and asked back.

“Is it just a weapon? Don’t you know that after the war, it would be impossible to build a canal or a railroad without an empire? Please keep in mind that construction is impossible without imperial equipment and imperial materials.”

“If you don’t have the equipment, you just have to bring in more manpower! All you have to do is bring in whatever workers or slaves you have!”

“You don’t know the desert, do you?”

The French envoy was speechless at Mehmet II’s question.

Mehmet II, who had silenced the French lion, explained the situation again.

“The desert is a place where even if you come fully prepared, one small mistake can result in loss of life. But do you think the construction going on there will be easy? huh? Are you saying that if we just invest a lot of manpower, everything will be solved? If construction is done like that, it will not be finished even after 100 years. “Do you think I made that agreement just because I was preoccupied with weapons?”

“Even so, 40/100 is too unfair!”

“If you don’t like it, leave!”

Cosimo seemed to feel that the atmosphere was getting heated, so he intervened.

“Now, now… I don’t think it’s too late to reconsider the equity issue later. Isn’t it more important to end this war quickly first? “Doesn’t Osman agree with this?”

Mehmet II answered Cosimo’s question in a gruff voice.

“I agree.”

“Then let’s focus on this part first. We’ll think about the problem again later. Nothing has been decided yet, starting with the establishment of the construction company, right?”

“Osman has already promised.”

“Aren’t there prerequisites? The prerequisite is ‘If you establish a corporation.’ “If this prerequisite disappears, the promise also disappears.”

“huh?”

When Cosimo pointed out the blind spot, Mehmet II’s expression immediately changed. Looking at Mehmet II’s expression, Cosimo continued.

“The empire’s proposal for ‘establishing a public corporation’ seemed quite reasonable, so I agreed to it. But no one knows what will happen after the war. If we think a little more, we may come up with a better way, that is, a better way to maximize the national interests of the alliance participating countries. “If a better way comes out, there’s no need to follow the empire’s conditions, right?”

“Hmm…”

Hearing Cosimo’s words, Mehmet II stroked his beard and was lost in thought.

Cosimo skillfully orchestrated the situation.

“So, let’s focus on the war first. First of all, do you agree with France’s participation in the war?”

“… I agree.”

“… I agree.”

After pondering Cosimo’s question for a moment, Henry and Mehmet II agreed to France’s participation in the war. Since France was involved to keep Spain in check, France also had a say and was entitled to share in the profits. In that case, it would have been better to send them into the war even if it meant sharing a little more profits. As the war dragged on, the finances of Portugal and the Ottomans were becoming increasingly strained.

Cosimo, who received the consent of Henry and Mehmet II, concluded with a broad smile.

“Then, at this meeting, we will only summarize the agreement that our ally France agreed to participate in the war in earnest. “How about we discuss the rest again later?”

Everyone else nodded at the same time at Cosimo’s suggestion.

“I agree.”

* * *

After returning to his quarters after the meeting, Mehmet II emptied his wine glass and muttered.

“As expected, a great merchant is a great merchant.”

At today’s meeting, Cosimo skillfully coordinated the situation. Although he was the most powerful person in Florence, he did not reveal this and only revealed himself as a merchant. It was Cosimo who orchestrated the situation, bowing down in front of the nobles and royal family in the guise of a mere merchant. In the end, by doing so, Cosimo was able to maximize his own benefit.

“If future generations are like me, the prosperity of the Medici family will continue for a while.”

* * *

“You weren’t just blinded by trauma.”

At the same time, in his office, Cosimo was looking at Mehmed II differently.

“I thought it best suited the imperial proverb, ‘If it’s trauma, even a cow will eat it.’ Isn’t that true?”

When Cosimo heard from Giovanni about what happened on the day of the founding of the empire, he gave Mehmet II a harsh evaluation.

-A human being who tried to pull a trick but ended up being defeated by the empire.

But considering today’s situation, that wasn’t the case. Although he was hindered at first, it was Mehmed II who later found a way to gain maximum benefit.

-Instead of giving up shares to the empire, secure shares from others.

This may have been Mehmet II’s strategy, so he reacted negatively to France’s full-scale participation in the war.

“But since half of them turned around, the other half must be the problem…”

Cosimo, who had sorted out the situation, called Giovanni and gave orders.

“I have something to check on my way back from the Empire with the professors.”

* * *

“I had a truly wonderful time thanks to Your Majesty’s generous hospitality.”

“I have seen and learned so much.”

Before returning to their hometowns, the professors who learned the scent bowed their heads and expressed their gratitude.

After listening to the professors’ words, Hyang smiled and offered good words.

“It’s great to see and learn so much. Anyone who has a passion for learning should never stop learning and improving their skills throughout their lives. “I hope that when I return, I will continue to diligently walk the path of learning.”

“Hwang Eun is devastated!”

After hearing Hyang’s good words, the professors rode the iron horse back down to Mokpo and started their journey home.

Whenever ships carrying professors stopped at ports of call, Giovanni secretly visited the professors and asked them questions.

“You’ve seen the iron horse and the steam engine, right?”

“I saw it very well.”

“Do you think we can make it too?”

Most professors gave similar answers to Giovanni’s question.

“It may be difficult right now, but it will be possible if you put in the time and effort.”

“Is that so? thank you.”