Black Corporation: Joseon - Chapter 924
Episode 924: The Imperial March 2 – Assault return, running on the ground. (12)
Lorenzo de’ Medici was not alone.
The commanders of the military, including Yu Eung-bu, and Shin Suk-ju also looked as if it was their first time seeing Hyang like this.
The only exception was Seongsammun. This was because when he was young, he worked as Hyang’s close associate with Han Myeong-hoe and others, and they saw each other quite often.
‘Thanks to that, the trickster Han Myeong-hoe becomes intimidated when he stands in front of His Majesty Tae Sang-tae and becomes desperate…’
Anyway, Hyang was talking about why he had to use this method.
“If Florence becomes the protagonist of Italian unification, there will definitely be people who are dissatisfied. Most of them would be from Milan and other northern cities. Unlike the Papal States and the Kingdom of Naples, this is the place with the most people calling for ‘Italian unification.’ Isn’t that right?”
Lorenzo nodded with a slightly uncomfortable expression in response to the question.
“Yes, of course.”
“That’s why I use this method. Those who are dissatisfied will inevitably explode their dissatisfaction at some point. That’s why you need to remove it first. “When you have the best cause, shouldn’t you use it properly?”
“Will they respond to the recruitment?”
“You talk about ‘Italian unification’ but you don’t actually fight for it? Wouldn’t it be better then? Are you going the other way and taking the lead because you could be publicly disgraced? “If you appease after carefully weighing the details, you will become the best comrade in Florence.”
“okay.”
“And if you think about the future of Florence, this is absolutely necessary. “If only the residents of Florence die in the war, it will only be good for others.”
“ah!”
Lorenzo, who only then realized the intention of the incense, stood up with a bright face and bowed.
“I finally understand Your Majesty’s deep intentions. Thank you so much!”
“That’s too much praise.”
While answering calmly, Hyang muttered to himself.
‘Tosagupin is not just about sorting out public figures. You have to sort out your enemies as well. Did you say that the Yuan Empire’s invasion of Japan was one of them?’
Looking at the records of the Yuan Empire’s conquest of Japan, most of the main forces were troops from the countries they conquered.
This was the Mongolian tactic of using the troops of the tribes or countries they had conquered as fodder for their arrows.
Praise for the scent continued, but many people were thinking similarly.
‘If we look at the war for unification and the subsequent political situation, it may be the best solution, but isn’t it too heartless?’
‘They say a monarch must be heartless… but sometimes I think His Majesty Taejang’s heartlessness is too much…’ ‘
Is it true that the blood of King Taejo, who founded Joseon, and King Taejong, who exterminated his son’s wife’s family, has not gone anywhere…? ..’
This was not only because of the monarchy that Hyang had learned, but also because it was ingrained in him while living in the capitalist world of the 21st century.
-A world where we usually talk about individual happiness and human rights, but when necessary, individuals are simply treated as number ‘1’.
I served in the military, where this method of calculation was basic, and although it was only for a short period of time, it was something I completely ingrained while working as a public servant in the finance department.
Therefore, the incense was thought of Mongolia, but it was actually a method closer to the 21st century.
“So, I want to organize my luggage starting from the north. What do you think?”
In response to Hyang’s question, the imperial commanders did not open their mouths easily and began to think carefully. Lorenzo and the Florentine and Swiss military commanders were deeply impressed by the sight.
‘amazing! Usually, when an absolute monarch like Tae Sang-tae speaks, he immediately follows it!’
‘Both the subjects who do not immediately accept the monarch’s orders and the monarch who tolerates them are both amazing!’
Among the imperial army commanders who had been pondering for a while, the first to speak was Son Il-won.
“If we only look at the situation on land, the method your Majesty came up with is the best. But I think a lot of trouble will happen if we go over to the sea. This is because Spanish and French naval forces will try to send soldiers and supplies to Naples through Sicily or disrupt the transportation routes of our Imperial Navy. As Your Majesty has just pointed out, it is too much for our Imperial Navy forces in Livorno to handle all of this. However, if we clear the south first, the transport route leading from Prince Henry’s Port will be very short, so the burden will be greatly reduced and we will be able to attack the Spanish and French naval forces and swimmers. “As the Spanish and French naval forces weaken, the imperial navy will become relatively stronger.”
The naval commanders all nodded at Son Il-won’s point.
The safety of the transport route was sufficiently secured even with the battleships currently in Prince Henry’s Port. However, if war broke out, Spain and France would do their best and the situation would be different.
The current naval power was insufficient to simultaneously secure the safety of friendly transport routes and block enemy transport routes from Sicily to the Kingdom of Naples.
“That makes sense.”
Hyang nodded to Son Il-won’s point and presented the alternative he thought of.
“So, Jim, I’d like to propose bringing in Portugal.”
“You mean Portugal? “I’m sure they’ll demand something in return.”
When Shin Suk-ju expressed concern, Hyang smiled and answered.
“All you need is a map.”
“map? Map…”
Among those who pondered Hyang’s words, the first one to understand was Seong Sam-mun.
“your majesty! Are you talking about Shinji’s map?”
“That’s right.”
“Then the price is too high!”
Shin Suk-ju desperately protested, but Hyang still smiled and answered.
“Of course, we will have to write an agreement not to touch the empire’s river areas.”
“Still, I think it’s too much.”
Shin Suk-ju continued to object, and this time, everyone in the empire, including Seong Sam-moon, nodded.
But this time, the scent didn’t back down either.
“Be aware of reality. For the empire, the strongholds it has secured so far are the best. Anything more than that would be impossible.”
‘If you insist on eating more, your crotch will tear and your stomach will explode and you will die!’
“But…”
Despite Hyang’s firm reply, the imperial people couldn’t hide their disappointment and mumbled.
Meanwhile, Lorenzo and the Florentine Swiss next to him began to twinkle in their eyes.
I was listening to the conversation so far through the imperial translator. However, the scent mentioned Portugal and at some point the interpreter fell silent. Fortunately, among Lorenzo’s aides, there was someone who was fluent in the imperial language, and through him, Lorenzo was able to hear the conversation between Hyang and Seong Sam-mun and Shin Suk-ju.
‘It’s Shinji! also! And looking at their reactions, Grandpa was right this time too!’
Before his death, Cosimo de Medici left these words:
-It is certain that the rumor about the ‘unknown southern continent’ was deliberately spread by the empire.
-The reason is, of course, Shinji, whom we only heard about through rumors.
-If rumors are intentionally leaked, the new location must be a very large island or continent.
-If the emperor mentions Shinji, it will be when he has already taken care of almost everything he needs to take care of.
-Still, if that time comes, don’t miss the opportunity no matter what!
-If Shinji were a continent, there would be many things the empire missed. You must dominate before anyone else! No, even if it is impossible to take the lead, you must not fall behind!
Lorenzo’s eyes lit up as he remembered Cosimo de’ Medici’s words.
‘You can’t miss this moment!’
Lorenzo, who was trying to open his mouth with a sense of urgency, froze for a moment.
Hyang was smiling at him.
Hyang smiled slightly as he looked at Lorenzo who stopped while trying to say something and then turned his head to look at the ambassadors.
“Of course, you have to take care of things other than what I just said. Wouldn’t it be more convenient to use Portugal than to go directly to swimming in France and Spain? And wouldn’t it be good if an imperial military port were created in the Asoros Islands?”
“But it’s still a waste. “I think it’s too much.”
Hyang still smiled and responded to Shin Sook-ju’s words.
“Don’t worry. Because I already took care of what I needed to take care of. Rather, now is the right time. How long do you think Spain, Portugal and France will remain unaware? ah! There’s also England. And which is more mouth-watering, Italy or Shinji?”
“ah!”
At Hyang’s point, Yu Eung-bu let out an exclamation. Looking at Yu-eung-bu like that, Hyang continued speaking.
“Which would be easier to deal with: an enemy who charges at you with all his might or an enemy who is distracted?”
In response to Hyang’s question, Seong Sam-moon asked back with a serious face.
“Do you think the map will be leaked, Your Majesty?”
“Rumors spread really quickly here in Europe.”
At Hyang’s words, everyone in the conference room had the same thought at the same time.
‘If the rumor doesn’t spread, I plan to leak it at least on purpose!’
Shin Sook-ju, who understood the intention of the fragrance to some extent, began to make her own calculations.
‘If the rumor goes around, Spain and France will not do their best against Italy, even if the Habsburgs, who are landlocked countries, do not know! And if you do it well…’
Shin Suk-ju, who was doing her own calculations, asked Hyang.
“Your Majesty, are you planning to involve England as well?”
“Wouldn’t it come on its own even if we don’t drag it in?”
“I guess so.”
Afterwards, the atmosphere in the conference room seemed to be shifting toward accepting Hyang’s proposal. However, Seong Sam-moon organized the situation meticulously.
“Your Majesty, regarding the guidance of God, is it your Majesty’s guidance or is it something you have approved? “If His Majesty the Great Emperor is dogmatic, I will risk my life to oppose it.”
At Seong Sam-moon’s words, Hyang took out a sealed letter from a bag placed on one side. Hyang broke the seal on the letter and presented the letter inside to Seong Sam-moon.
“I received permission.”
While listening to Hyang’s words, Seong Sam-mun looked at the temple. The contents of the letter were identical to what Hyang had said. And at the very end of the seal, there was a sentence authorizing this, along with the seal of the prefecture and the royal seal, and underneath it were the seal of Han Myeonghoe and the seal of the prime minister.
‘It means that not only His Majesty the Emperor but also the court agreed.’
“Whoa~.”
Seong Sam-moon handed the document in question to Shin Suk-ju with a sigh and bowed his head to Hyang.
“Please forgive me for exceeding my convictions. “I presumptuously doubted your Majesty.”
“No, it’s a natural thing to do if you are a subject of the empire. “If you hadn’t come forward…”
Hyang slowly trailed off, and all the imperialists in the conference room swallowed dry saliva.
‘If I had made one mistake, there would have been bloodshed!’
“Then let’s call the Portuguese envoy tomorrow and leave it here.”
When the incense declared the end, all attendees bowed and left the conference room.
After returning to her bedroom, Hyang looked out the window and muttered softly.
“The map must have been passed down to Japan and the Ming by now.”
* * *
The empire was not the only one developing during this period.
Although he was given bad nicknames such as ‘the Emperor of Goryeo, the Emperor of Joseon, and the Emperor of Seoul’, the Ming Dynasty regained stability through the reign of Emperor Seonghwa.
As politics stabilized and the economy developed again, Myeong began to look outside in search of markets.
This was the same in Japan. After abdicating from the Emperor and founding the Ouchi Dynasty, Japan was also developing smoothly.
However, Japan’s domestic demand alone had its limits, and Japan also began to pursue expansionary policies.