Black Corporation: Joseon - Chapter 835
Episode 835 Pursuit in Europe (2)
-Imperial Army Geographic Information Research Institute.
This was the name of the imperial military intelligence agency.
– Create maps and analyze geographic information for the Imperial Army and Navy.
This was the justification raised by the ‘Imperial Military Geographic Information Research Institute’.
And actually, the work was carried out.
* * *
When the empire had almost taken control of the seas east of Suez, it formally sent envoys to countries along the empire’s trade routes, including the Ming and Japanese Ryukyus, requesting cooperation.
-We will investigate changes in water depth and coastline due to the movement of high and low tides, the presence of coastlines and possible reefs.
The countries that first accepted the empire’s request expressed reluctance. This was because maps and geography, especially maps, had tremendous military value.
In addition, the coastline and the parts connected to it that the empire wanted to survey were also problematic.
This was because the items the Empire said it would investigate were all related to the landing war.
The empire was well aware of this, so it immediately presented alternatives and compensation.
-Do not enter inland more than 10 ri (approximately 4 km) from the coastline.
-You may involve as many officials and scholars from the country as you wish in the investigation process. All costs will be borne by the empire.
-The results of the investigation will be shared openly with the parties involved. We will also provide a map.
“Hmm… this is… ho…”
The parties who accepted the alternative and compensation plan presented by the empire had no choice but to worry.
Making maps and acquiring geographic information was a time-consuming and expensive task.
Purchasing expensive imperial precision measuring instruments cost a lot of money, and training personnel also took a lot of time and money.
Although they expressed reluctance, most of the parties did not have proper maps of their coastlines and geographical information.
If something happened, the only option was to recruit fishermen who knew the coast of the area well and use them as human guides.
This was a similar situation even to Myeong.
Detailed maps were created around major military ports, but for other areas, it was necessary to rely on maps that were as old as a few decades or as long as a hundred years old, or to call in local fishermen.
However, according to rumors coming from merchants who boarded the empire’s merchant ships, the empire’s maps were extremely precise.
It was a huge temptation for an empire with such precise mapmaking capabilities to create and hand over maps.
-If we observe the imperial map-making process and know how, we can produce our own precise maps!
-If you accept the Empire’s precise map, you can properly find military strategic points and strengthen your defenses!
In the end, all other countries except the Ming accepted the empire’s proposal.
In the case of Ming, rejection was a natural situation during the Gyeongtae era, and Seonghwaje, who was nicknamed ‘the Emperor of Joseon’, also had to reject it with reluctance.
“No matter how much of a burden it is, if you accept this, there will be an immediate rebellion.”
At Seonghwaje’s words, all the comrades of the Jamryonghoe also nodded.
* * *
When most of the countries along the trade route accepted the offer, the empire began sending people.
As there were not enough personnel from the Imperial Army and the Ministry of Land Development, a considerable number of personnel were mobilized from the railway construction, and the Imperial Army followed to escort them.
Another gang was hiding among this imperial army.
Surveying and geographical information research for map production was not something that could be completed in a day or two.
Naturally, we had to find a vacant lot and a water source near the survey area where many people could stay, and the Imperial Army officers who participated in this process memorized this information well and secretly recorded it.
That wasn’t all.
As a large number of people stayed, a lot of food was needed, and the imperial military convoy headed to a nearby city to purchase this food. And likewise, imperial officers memorized this route well and secretly recorded it.
While keeping the condition of ‘I will not go further inland than 10 li from the coastline’, I took everything I needed to take care of.
This wasn’t the only thing the imperial army’s hidden faction was aiming for.
Once the Empire began work, officials and soldiers from the parties also joined in.
After being together for quite a long time, a friendship began to build between the people on both sides, and here was the empire’s target.
The officials and soldiers who participated, especially military commanders, were capable military officials, generals, or nobles who were trusted by the monarch.
In other words, they were the core of power or would become so in the future.
The goal was to build friendships with them and turn them into pro-imperialists or to find out about the military trends of the party.
What is interesting is that the parties cooperating with the empire also had similar aims.
-The imperial people dispatched to map production are the empire’s talented people.
-In that case, the commanders of the imperial army dispatched to protect them would also be capable people.
-If you are a competent commander, you have a high chance of success in the future, so make connections!
-And if possible, find out about the movements of the imperial army, especially future weapon development and changes in deployment strategies and tactics!
The parties with this intention – especially Japan – treated the imperial army commanders with the utmost hospitality.
On days off from work, they invited imperial people – especially imperial military commanders – to a banquet.
At these banquets, outstanding beauties would sit next to the high-ranking officials of the empire and seduce them.
It was a banquet where the people laughed and enjoyed each other’s intentions while hiding their true intentions.
* * *
While this intelligence war of deceiving and deceiving each other was taking place on one side, traditional intelligence wars were taking place on the other side.
In the area facing the Mongols, cavalry and cavalry troops were moving secretly and observing the Mongols’ movements.
In the sea route east of Suez, the imperial front lines moved around and monitored trends around the sea route.
And the imperial troops and officials stationed in Shangguan monitored trends and regularly sent reports.
The empire’s superiors were located not only east of Suez, but also to the port of Prince Henry of Suez and Alexandria.
The superior office was a place where officials were stationed to provide safe amenities for the empire’s merchants and resolve civil complaints, and even served as an embassy.
It was natural for the imperial army to be deployed to protect the civilians and officials staying at Shangguan.
However, because the deployment of the imperial army was something that would irritate the state party, permission had to be obtained first.
What was interesting was the form of correlation.
In the area east of Suez, it was similar to a large mansion where local officials lived. It was just bigger and had more warehouses.
However, the superiors located in the ports of Suez and Prince Henry of Alexandria were small fortresses.
The most representative place was the imperial naval port of Suez.
Meanwhile, while the imperial military intelligence agency was still unable to leave the southern Mediterranean area, Milwi was expanding its reach to the northern Mediterranean.
-Seoul security service.
They had begun advancing into the heart of Europe through one of Milwi’s front companies.
* * *
As time passed, generational changes continued in Milwi Island.
As generations changed, Milwi also began to suffer from chronic diseases of the empire.
-Lack of talent.
Most of those who first formed the Milwi came from the sword world.
Although most of them were from Seoul and were involved in the sword world, they were highly knowledgeable and skilled in martial arts.
However, the problem was that with the abolition of the Seoul Geumgo, those entering the Geomgye almost disappeared.
All capable graduates entered government or military positions, and those who snooped around Geomgye were all unskilled.
No, they were human waste of the level of ‘impossible to be rehabilitated even if beaten’.
In order to solve the problem of talent supply and demand, Milwi traveled to Daeseol Island and Shinji as well as the main and northern regions to attract talented people.
Those that Milwi mainly targeted were young warriors who had just completed their training and were preparing to enter the service, and middle and lower-level executives of the imperial army.
“The problem is that the nose is too high. Young people don’t know what’s going on in the world, and former executives are out of pride…”
In the end, the executives of the Milwi, who were worried over and over again, asked Hyang for help through Naegeumwijang.
Hyang, who accepted Milwi’s request through Naegeumwijang, nodded willingly.
“It’s for the safety of me and the empire, so of course I have to help!”
In this way, Milwi mobilized his strongest card.
* * *
This is roughly how Millwi acquired talent.
First, we look at the personnel evaluation list obtained through the Internal Revenue Service and when we find suitable talent, we quietly approach them.
“Would you like to work with us for the Empire and Your Majesty?”
The reactions of the recruits who heard these words were very similar.
“What kind of bullshit is this?”
“You look like a crazy person, so I won’t report it to the Pocheong! “Get out of here!”
However, Milwi continued to approach, and the subject’s reaction became more serious.
And when he thought it was ripe, Milwi’s agent extended an invitation to him.
“There is someone who wants to see me. Would you like to follow me?”
“…Sure. “If you are going to do something foolish, I won’t let it go even if it kills me.”
“Please do so.”
Afterwards, the person involved was blindfolded and moved to Milwi’s safe house, where he faced Hyang.
“I come to see His Majesty the Emperor!”
One of the emperor’s jobs was to tour troops throughout the empire or call units that had made meritorious contributions to Seoul to praise those who had made meritorious contributions and comfort the soldiers.
Thanks to this, all executives with a certain level of rank and experience knew Hyang’s face, and thanks to that, they were as shocked as they are now.
“You can sit comfortably.”
“Your Majesty the Emperor.”
As soon as the subject straightened his posture, the scent got to the point.
“Jim has a favor to ask of you.”
“Just give orders! “I will complete it even if it means dying!”
“Give up your honor for the safety of me and the empire.”
“yes?”
If the person concerned seemed confused by the Hyang’s words, an executive of the Milwi explained the existence and mission of the Milwi on behalf of the Hyang.
After the executive’s explanation was over, Hyang spoke.
“Becoming a member of the Militia means that you have to give up the career you have always dreamed of. Maybe I could live a paradise life. Your comrades will laugh at you and your family will cast you out. Nevertheless, I have no choice but to ask you to help me. I can only promise you that I and my future generations will not forget you. “Please.”
There was not a single person who refused Hyang’s request.
Who would refuse a request from the Emperor himself?
In this way, the manpower shortage at the Mill Committee was resolved to some extent.
However, the faces of the new people who came in that way were not very good.
Until just yesterday, he was a glorious officer in the imperial army, but from today, he has become a paralyzed man who only looks after the enemy.
I was prepared, but it was too hard to bear, and there were more than one person who complained about it.
The disguised business that Hyang created for them was ‘Seoul Security Service’.