Black Corporation: Joseon - Chapter 911

Episode 911 Alliance (5)

The reason all three ambassadors were able to remain so calm was because it was something they had already expected to some extent.

-The land force, numbering over 100,000 men including Swiss mercenaries, is the largest on the Italian front.

-Fighting alone against these numbers is something only a fool would do.

-Of course we will try to unite.

-I think about the next thing then.

Although Seong Sam-moon nodded at Shin Sook-ju’s words, he continued speaking with an expression that he did not understand.

“I thought the first place France would reach out to was Portugal… but it’s a bit surprising.”

If what the man from Paris said is true, France was sending messengers to Spain, but had no plans yet to send messengers to Portugal.

Of course, considering the time difference, there was a possibility that the messenger went to Portugal as well. However, considering Portugal’s values, ‘Spain comes before Portugal’ was a strange thing.

Yu Eung-bu responded to Seong Sam-moon’s point.

“France may not think that Suez and Italy are separate.”

“Suez and Italy are separate? Hmm….”

“Maybe….”

Shin Suk-ju and Seong Sam-moon, who were considering Yu Eung-bu’s opinion, soon nodded.

* * *

France was not completely unaware of the empire. No, I knew it well. Therefore, it was natural to judge that if Suez was touched, the empire would move sincerely.

And this was clearly evident from the words of the person from Paris.

The only compensation offered by France to Spain and Habsburg was the division of Italy.

In other words, France’s only goal was to protect its own interests in Italy and exclude imperial interference.

-We cannot give up Italy, but we have no intention of breaking all ties with the empire.

-In other words, Italy and Suez are separate.

The three people judged the reason why France withdrew Portugal.

* * *

“Huh~.”

Seong Sam-moon, who realized France’s intentions, shook his head.

“There is a saying, ‘Everyone has a plausible plan.’ But where did the confidence come from that Spain and Habsburg would accept it if they said they were separate?…” In response to Seong Sam-moon’s criticism, Yu Eung-bu

reacted with a cynical response. I received the words in a tone of voice.

“Isn’t it a great country?”

“A great country is a mess… Hmm… If France turns out like this…”

As if he had a good idea, Seong Sam-moon suddenly stopped talking and got lost in thought. Seong Sam-moon, who was shaking his head and thinking about something, looked at Yu Eung-bu.

“How many Eulsik rifles and Eulsik wagons are left in this place?”

“There’s a lot left. why?”

“If they are using a joint plan, shouldn’t we use a comprehensive plan? Heehyeondang – Shin Sook-ju’s nickname – I heard that the Captain is going to Portugal, so I have to go to Hungary. “Wouldn’t Hungarians like Japanese-style rifles and Japanese-style freight cars?”

“Good idea.”

“Good idea.”

“Then let’s write a report as quickly as possible, send it to Seoul, and get moving. “Contact Livorno and ask for some ships.”

“Let’s do that.”

Thus began a fierce diplomatic battle that marked the beginning of war for Italy.

* * *

While a fierce diplomatic battle was taking place centered on Florence and Paris, the imperial military port of Livorno was crowded with imperial front lines.

This was thanks to the fact that the main base of the imperial army arrived in Italy via Suez and the second transport fleet from Shinji arrived at the same time.

“There was definitely enough time left! why!”

“While we’re at it, take care of at least one more ship!”

“It starts now! Baggage and people are still arriving at Port Henrique!”

“Same goes for Shinji!”

The imperial navy that managed the port, starting with the port commander, moved without proper rest.

We organized the berthing order of the arriving ships, brought in cranes and wheelbarrows, and unloaded the cargo.

On the other side, carts pulled by ox horses and tow trucks moved like worker ants in a row to move the unloaded cargo to the warehouse.

As Livorno was busy, Florence was also busy.

“Check the railroad connections properly!”

“yes! yep!”

At the Imperial Army garrison on the outskirts of Florence, the response department was checking the situation with great nerves.

This was because the railway, the most important of the facilities being built at the imperial military garrison, was in its final stages.

If a railroad was laid directly connecting Florence Station to the Imperial Army garrison, the Imperial Army’s new main weapons could be transported conveniently.

After confirming that the newly laid railway was properly laid by mobilizing the spare iron horse at Florence Station, Eung-bu let out a long sigh.

“Whoa~. Damn trench warfare to even think about actually using those strange objects…”

Around the same time, the Imperial Army Yard in Livorno.

Artisans belonging to the Army and dispatched from Areas 51 and 52 were assembling the parts unloaded from the ship.

Beep! Ppaaeak!

“No problem! It’s running great!”

“Then load it!”

The equipment, which had completed assembly and final inspection, was loaded one by one into flat wagons on one side of the warehouse.

“Put it on!”

“Tie the rope tight!”

“Wrap yourself up tight!”

As the equipment was loaded onto the wagon, the soldiers came together to wrap it and tie it tightly with thick, strong rope.

At night, an iron horse entered the warehouse. As the guards boarded the freight cars that came out of the warehouse one after another, pulled by iron horses, the iron horses boarded the railroad heading to Florence and departed Livorno.

Their final destination was the imperial military garrison on the outskirts of Florence.

The craftsmen muttered with complex expressions as they watched the freight cars disappearing into the distance.

“I thought it was just a pastime for His Majesty the Emperor,

but it’s even more surprising that His Majesty the Emperor set aside a budget to mass-produce it.”

“That’s the blood…”

“Shh!”

“No matter what, I feel sorry for the Ministry of Finance and Economy officials…”

“Break time is over! There’s still a lot more to assemble! If you want to sleep well, move quickly!”

“Yep!”

“Say the slogan again! “Your salary will be reduced for one defective product, and your salary will be increased for one defective product!”

“It’s coming!”

“Who are you! “These are craftsmen raised by His Majesty Tae Sang-sang and Jang Yeong-sil!”

“Oooh!”

The craftsmen vigorously chanted the slogan and worked hard with their tools.

It wasn’t just the reward that made the craftsmen do their best. This was because they were curious about how the Imperial Army’s latest weapon, which they had just assembled, would perform on the battlefield. And it was because of the strange sense of competition that blossomed among the craftsmen.

-In order for that equipment to make a name for itself, we have to properly handle it!

-The honor of Area 51 is at stake! Show off your original skills!

-Shows what Area 52 is like! Prove who Jang Yeong-sil’s direct descendants are!

* * *

While fierce competition among craftsmen was taking place in Livorno, chaos was also going on in Seoul.

It all started with a small rumor that came from Sugang Palace.

-The Great Emperor ordered a new military uniform to be worn!

“Military uniform? why?”

Han Myeong-hoe, who heard the rumor, tilted his head. But soon he stood up with a white face.

“no way! Probably not! “It shouldn’t be!”

Shouting out words that sounded like a scream, Han Myeong-hoe forgot his body pain and sprinted towards Geunjeongjeon.

“Huh! Your Majesty… Breathe! The Prime Minister has arrived… Huh! “Tell me!”

When Han Myeong-hoe spoke while breathing heavily, the eunuch answered right away.

“Your Majesty has now gone to Shugang Palace!”

“Holy shit!”

Han Myeong-hoe had to sprint back to the Sugang Palace while swearing without realizing it.

“Huh! Huh! “Knock!”

“Oh my gosh, Prime Minister!”

Han Myeong-hoe, who arrived at Hyang’s residence, was almost out of breath, perhaps because he had sprinted from the Prime Minister’s Office on Yukjo Street, to Geunjeongjeon, and back to Sugang Palace. An eunuch who was startled by the sight ran over to help him, and Han Myeong-hoe, who had managed to catch his breath, got to the point.

“Your Majesty, I…”

Before Han Myeong-hoe could finish speaking, Hyun’s shouting rang loudly from inside.

“It’s not possible! You’re going to Italy! “You know what happens there!”

Han Myeong-hoe looked dejected at Hyeon’s shouting.

“Perhaps it was me… Hueup~. Phew~.”

When what she had expected happened, Han Myeong-hoe was relieved of her despair and actually became calm. After calmly catching his breath, Han Myeong-hoe spoke to the eunuch standing next to him.

“Please tell me.”

“Yes, Captain. your majesty! “The Prime Minister has arrived!”

“Get out!”

After receiving permission from the prefecture, Han Myeong-hoe went inside. Han Myeong-hoe, who saw Hyang and Hyeon, bowed politely, and Hyang smiled and welcomed him.

“Welcome. “Please sit there.”

Han Myeong-hoe, who was sitting in the position where Hyang had authority, immediately got to the point.

“Recently, there was a strange rumor going around in the palace, so I hurried over and heard it outside. Are you really going to Italy?”

“exactly.”

“This is going to be a battlefield.”

“That’s why I’m going.”

In response to Hyang’s words, Hyun raised his voice again.

“So what is your reason for leaving?”

“This is because of new equipment and supply issues.”

“yes?”

Hyang explained why he had to go to Italy.

-The Imperial Army being deployed to Italy this time has a number of new weapons.

-Small weapons may not be a big problem, but large weapons are.

– Although it has been verified, no one knows what problems will arise in practice. For a quick solution, there must be someone who knows the mechanism well. And I know the mechanism best.

-And the supply issue also helps. Long-distance supply must be carried out regardless of whether it is a new site or a main site. If you do it wrong, supply may become a problem and even a winning war could be lost. That’s why I have to be there. Could it be that there is a great person who would mess up the supply when Tae Sang-tae is there?

“…Finally, we can’t just have ambassadors be there to receive the surrender of European monarchs, right? “Wouldn’t it be worth it to have at least a state of affairs?”

Hyeon made a bewildered expression at Hyang’s words.

‘You don’t even expect the empire to lose! Well… I don’t expect to lose either.’

Hyeon, who was not convinced, looked at the military uniform hanging behind the incense stick.

Hyun muttered to himself after seeing the pitch black military uniform from start to finish.

‘You’re openly telling me to kneel.’

Even if I understood it, it was something that couldn’t be done. Perhaps knowing how Hyeon felt, Han Myeong-hoe tried to dissuade Hyang.

“The battlefield is a rough place. “It is a place where corpses abound everywhere and all kinds of ugly things happen.”

“I hope you don’t forget that I too have the experience of risking my life and facing enemies right under my nose.”

“Ah…”

Han Myeong-hoe was speechless at Hyang’s point. Hyang was the one who fought at the forefront of the battle that took place in the year of Giyu.