Black Corporation: Joseon - Chapter 857

Episode 857: Their Ambition (8) As

soon as Lorenzo finished speaking, Cosimo’s reaction was to click his tongue.

“Tsk!”

As soon as Cosimo clicked his tongue, not only Lorenzo but also Giovanni became victims.

* * *

Since the story was told that ‘the great sage and emperor of the distant East’ would click his tongue whenever his ministers made mistakes, the act of clicking one’s tongue became a trend among European kings and monarchs.

This was because it was evaluated as a very elegant action that scared the ministers without swearing or getting angry.

However, soon the number of kings and monarchs who clicked their tongues decreased significantly.

The ‘wise man from the East’ in question had the insight, knowledge and wisdom to point out the mistakes of his ministers and teach them the answers after clicking his tongue like that.

In other words, clicking one’s tongue meant boasting that one had a level of insight, knowledge, and wisdom that could overwhelm the ministers, and if these conditions were not met, it would only result in humiliation.

The problem was that Cosimo had enough insight and knowledge not to be embarrassed even if he clicked his tongue.

That is why, as soon as Cosimo clicked his tongue, not only Lorenzo but also Giovanni became a victim.

* * *

“Tsk, tsk, tsk… You’re raising your army with the funds you obtained by annexing other cities? And using the army raised that way to annex more regions? “Did I hear that correctly?”

“That’s right.”

“Then where will the merger begin? “Which one is the most likely?”

“It’s not yet….”

“You idiot! North or South! Tell me now! Right Now!”

Lorenzo, who was pressured by Cosimo, answered urgently.

“It’s buk buk!”

“Is it really North?”

“That’s right! “The cities in the north are wealthy, so there’s plenty of help!”

“You idiot!”

Cosimo did not hide his anger and scolded Lorenzo.

-Venice is under the protection of the Holy Roman Empire, and Genoa is under the protection of Spain. Is it just that? Milan is under the protection of France.

-The moment the standing army you worked so hard to raise attacks one of those cities, the countries behind it will mobilize their armies.

-In order to prevent the offensive of powerful countries, the standing army that has been raised must be consumed in large quantities.

-Even if you are lucky enough to block their offensive and gather funds and people from the annexed city to rebuild your troops, it is a problem. This is because the troops raised in this way must be deployed to defend the northern border.

-In the end, in order to annex the southern region of Italy, more funds and blood from Florence will be needed again.

In response to Cosimo’s point, Lorenzo immediately changed direction.

“Then the south….”

“Have you forgotten who is behind Naples and Sicily? And in the south, most farmers only do farming. How much money do you think it would cost to recruit foolish farmers and turn them into soldiers? Don’t forget that, as you say, this is the ‘age of guns and cannons’. “It doesn’t end with just dragging someone and holding a spear!”

As Cosimo continued to point out, Lorenzo’s head lowered more and more.

Cosimo, who was looking at Lorenzo like that, took back the whip he had been swinging hard and held out a carrot called ‘advice’.

“Of course, the ‘Italian unification’ that you and the delusions you go around with is not a bad thing. “If successful, it will make a huge profit.”

“Then…”

At Cosimo’s words, Lorenzo looked at Cosimo with a glimmer of hope.

“But the plan you just mentioned is literally a delusion. The only thing that can save us is education and the development of a standing army. “Administration and politics are missing.”

“If it’s politics….”

“Take care of those who are holding back our family first. Either coax it to one side or erase it. “The first thing to do is to deal with those who make noise inside.”

“Yes yep!”

“Next is diplomacy. Roasting and boiling pears from other cities. There is no need to bake and boil everything. “All you have to do is grill and boil one noodle properly.”

“Which country is it?”

“Tsk!”

“Yes yep! “I’ll figure it out!”

“Don’t just put it into action right away and don’t forget to report it to me first!”

“Yes yep!”

“Finally, find someone suitable to be the monarch of a unified Italy.”

“yes?”

When Lorenzo looked surprised at the unexpected words, Cosimo smiled and looked at Lorenzo.

“why? “Did you want to become the king of a unified Italy?”

“….”

Looking at Lorenzo’s silent affirmation, Cosimo shook his head slightly and continued.

“It is impossible for you to become King of Italy as long as you bear the surname ‘Medici.’ Even if they view the unification of Italy positively, there are many people who immediately turn against them when they hear the last name ‘Medici’. That is reality.”

“Ah…”

Lorenzo nodded without realizing it at Cosimo’s words.

In the process of ruling Florence and competing with other cities, the number of people with a grudge against the Medici family increased.

It was certain that if Lorenzo de’ Medici came forward as a symbol of unification, they would immediately turn into enemies.

Lorenzo, who concluded that Cosimo’s point was reasonable, bowed his head, hiding his regret.

“Yes, I understand.”

“If possible, it would be better to choose someone who is far from Spain and the Holy Roman Empire. “France is connected to Suez, so we can moderately appease it, but the other two cannot.”

“Is it possible to find someone who has no ties to those three countries?”

Lorenzo asked, unable to hide his embarrassment. During this time, there was no one in Italy who had worked hard and had some reputation but had no ties to the three countries above.

This was the reality of Italy, which had been divided for over a thousand years.

Even while fighting the Hundred Years’ War with England, France was exerting influence on Italy, and so was the Habsburg family of the Holy Roman Empire. At the very least, even Spain, which was just emerging as a new power, was spoon-fed to Italy through the Kingdom of Aragon, a member of the United Kingdom.

Cosimo’s answer to Lorenzo’s question was simple and clear.

“If you don’t have it, make it. “With the power of our Medici, it is possible.”

“…All right.”

“And when you make it, make it a hero, but make sure it doesn’t leave our family.”

“It won’t be easy.”

“Did you think that the unification of Italy you mentioned would be easy? Hmm… Kitai So, if you look at the long-ago history of the land where the Ming Dynasty is now…” * *

*

While researching information related to the empire, Cosimo also learned about China’s history.

This was because of the various proverbs and idioms spoken by the imperial people.

In the process of learning about Chinese history, he met someone who suited Cosimo’s tastes and could be said to be his ideal type.

It was a question of whether or not it was possible.

Cosimo, who used money as a weapon to deal with European kings and nobles, was very fond of Yeobulwi and his actions.

“But my age is the problem.”

Cosimo, who could not hide his regret at seeing himself so old, tried to make his dream come true through Lorenzo.

* * *

“…don’t forget. “The greater the hero called ‘Unified Monarch of Italy,’ the greater his shadow will grow, and within that shadow, our family can do more and more.”

“I’ll keep that in mind!”

“Also, do not ignore the words of the Buddha. “I think the moment the hero escapes the hands of the Medici is the end of the Medici.”

“I’ll keep that in mind!”

“Lorenzo ends here… Giovanni.”

“yes.”

When Cosimo called him, Giovanni answered with a very nervous look and looked at Cosimo.

“The idea of nurturing a standing army and officers who will command that standing army is not a bad idea. However, when considering the opponents of Lorenzo and his gang, quantity is still an issue. “Same performance cannot overcome the difference in volume.”

“you’re right.”

“Out of all the people here right now, you are the closest to the empire.”

“We will try to contact the empire and import its weapons.”

“It’s okay to introduce long guns that are being retired. However, the cannons and freight cars that the imperial army currently uses must be imported. Also, we are spending some effort on the issue of allowing students to study abroad at military academies.”

Giovanni answered Cosimo’s command honestly.

“I’ll do my best, but it won’t be easy.”

Cosimo immediately gave advice to Giovanni’s words.

“Use France and Suez.”

“You mean France and Suez? Are you going to hand over your stake in Suez to the Empire?”

When Cosimo mentioned ‘Suez’, Giovanni immediately mentioned shares. In response to Giovanni’s question, Cosimo immediately frowned and clicked his tongue.

“Tsk!”

“sorry!”

As soon as Cosimo clicked his tongue, Giovanni immediately became a turtle. Cosimo, who was glaring at Giovanni, explained in more detail.

“Provide information to the empire that France has developed wide silver. And I emphasize that Florence must survive in order to protect its share of the Suez Railway.”

“ah!”

Giovanni immediately recognized Cosimo’s explanation and let out an exclamation.

Looking at the shares of the Suez Railway construction, the empire took 40/100, and the rest went to France and Florence, Ottoman Portugal.

Of these, Florence’s share was 11/100. Although it was the smallest stake, the majority of the shares changed hands depending on where this stake went.

And Florence took advantage of this very well to its own benefit.

However, the problem was that France developed wide silver. By freeing itself from the restrictions on the breadth of the country, France was able to force its shareholding structure in Suez.

The first thing to be expected was to cross the Alps and pressure Florence.

If Florence’s share was taken over by France and Portugal was then put under pressure, the governance structure of Suez would change into a two-power system between the Ottomans and France.

Therefore, with just one news of development, Florence was able to appeal its importance to the empire.

Cosimo, seeing Giovanni’s expression, continued,

“As I said before, the empire hates war. Because it costs a lot of money. However, if we help Florence, we will be able to protect the interests of Suez with much less spending. “Emphasize this point.”

“Yes, I understand!”

Giovanni answered with a brighter face. Cosimo, seeing Giovanni’s positive appearance, turned to Lorenzo.

“Did you see it? “This is diplomacy and politics.”

“yes! I’ll try my best!”

“Then let’s get moving! The more days you delay, the more money you have to spend! “If expenses increase, profits decrease!”

“yes!”

At Cosimo’s urging, Lorenzo and Giovanni immediately bowed and left the bedroom.

Cosimo, who was looking at the closed door, turned his head and looked at the map hanging on the wall.

Cosimo, who was glaring at the empire located on the eastern side of the map, burst into laughter.

“How do I move? You probably expected it. But no matter how much you expected it, the shock is different when you actually hear it.”

It was Cosimo that had a somewhat savory feel to it.