Black Corporation: Joseon Chapter 925

Episode 925: The Imperial March 2 – Assault return, running on the ground. (13)

“If the steam pressure becomes too strong, won’t even a solid steam engine eventually explode?”

Hyeon nodded at Hyang’s words.

“It’s okay if it just explodes, but the anger could spread to us too, so let’s take the pressure off in advance.”

“I think that’s correct.”

-Before you think that Ming and Japan are dangerous for no reason, take out the steam.

Hyeon agreed to Hyang’s words and persuaded the government to hand over the map to Ming and Japan. And the government readily agreed to their decision.

-Because I already took care of everything I needed to take care of.

To the south and west of Shinji, it was an empire that had already taken control of the coastal area where guano mines were located. There was no need or space to pay attention to the southern coastal areas and densely forested inland areas.

And because they had already taken control of the Messika area, they were also able to block the route from the south to the north. This was a huge benefit.

By blocking the road from south to north, Louisiana, which was supposed to be the largest granary in North America – which was only known as the region, but whose value the people of the empire were now gradually learning – came into the hands of the empire.

As it was literally a situation where ‘everything that needed to be taken care of had already been taken’, the township and county government decided to hand out maps with a relieved mind.

There would be competition between Ming and Japan in the west and Europe in the east. Even if a fight broke out between Ming and Japan, or if Ming, Japan, and Europe fought each other in the southern inland of Shinji, it would be a stranger to the empire.

As long as you don’t touch the empire.

That’s why he was more desperate for the war taking place in Italy than anyone else.

If you see the true military power of the empire, you will think long before touching it.

“However, if spending becomes too large, it is not good for the empire.”

Hyeon and Hyang nodded to Han Myeong-hoe’s argument.

“That’s right.”

“That’s why I think it’s best not to just dump Europe, but to choose an appropriate opponent to attack.”

“Who do you think is best?”

Han Myeong-hoe, who thought for a moment about Hyun’s question, immediately chose two.

“Portugal and Florence.”

“The reason is?”

“Portugal is strong, but lacks the power to defend it to the end, and Florence is also strong, but has a light mouth.”

At Han Myeong-hoe’s words, Hyeon and Hyang nodded lightly at the same time.

Portugal’s naval power was powerful.

No, only the naval power was strong. Due to its extremely small territory and population, its army strength was inferior to that of France and Spain.

In the case of Florence, the late Cosimo de’ Medici was well aware of the ‘benefits of silence.’ However, Lorenzo de’ Medici was lacking in that respect.

He was quite generous and knew when to advance and retreat and when to bend his knees. But my mouth was a bit light.

No, the problem was the typical Italian chatter.

Thanks to this, ambassadors did not share more confidential information than necessary.

‘huh? Just barely? barely?’

Han Myeong-hoe, who felt that the intensity of sympathy between Hyang and Hyeon was weak, hurriedly continued speaking.

“The strength of Portugal and Florence can be put to good use by our empire. Portugal can use its naval power, and Florence can use its army and political cause.”

Hyun, who thought for a moment about Han Myeong-hoe’s words, looked back.

“What do you think?”

“National decisions are your Majesty’s authority. “I am just an advisor.”

In response to Hyang’s words, Hyeon gave an order to Han Myeong-hoe.

“Then I will accept the Prime Minister’s proposal. “Let the Prime Minister write up the order and submit it.”

“I follow your orders.”

This is how incense worked in Florence.

Portugal would immediately recognize the value of this map and be willing to join hands with the empire.

And even in these times, Florence, doing business between France and the Habsburgs, would have spread this rumor without even knowing it.

* * *

The next day, around noon, the Portuguese delegation, invited by the township, visited the embassy.

“Welcome, His Majesty Taesang is waiting for you.”

Shin Sook-ju, who welcomed the delegation, led the delegation to the conference room. Crown Prince Afonso’s mind was complicated as he followed Shin Sook-ju’s footsteps.

‘Why all of a sudden? Why just us? What is this important thing? Abama told me not to act rashly…’

Because his experience was still shallow, he was only a symbolic figure in the delegation, but he was the one who would become the ruler of Portugal after King Joao II.

“Please come in.”

“Thank you.”

Two hours later the Portuguese delegation left the embassy.

“Return as quickly as possible!”

Following orders full of urgency, the carriages carrying the delegation and the escorts ran through the streets of Florence with all their might.

And all night long, the lights did not go out in the lodgings where the Portuguese envoys were staying.

The actions of the Portuguese delegation, who were always absent from their lodgings, caught the eyes and ears of other delegations.

“Why Portugal?”

“He’s been like that since he went to the imperial embassy. What did he hear?”

The envoys of the great powers released people to solve their doubts. And right away all sorts of rumors came in.

Although the rumors were a mixture of bluff and plausible lies, the envoys were able to find one common thread among them.

-The Empire made Portugal an offer it couldn’t refuse!

“It’s an offer I can’t refuse… what is it?”

“Can we find out at the next meeting?”

The envoys of the great powers eagerly awaited the holding of the next conference.

* * *

And at the reconvened meeting after a five-day recess, the envoys’ suspicions grew stronger.

As soon as the meeting opened, Crown Prince Afonso stood up and declared.

“The prince who represented the Kingdom of Portugal judged the empire’s proposal to be extremely reasonable. Accordingly, this kingdom declares its full cooperation with the Empire and Florence!”

The conference room immediately became commotion following Crown Prince Afonso’s declaration.

The envoys who attended the meeting talked with their aides with urgent looks on their faces, and the aides also talked among themselves.

“Quiet! “Be quiet!”

The commotion in the conference hall subsided as Shin Sook-ju, who presided over the meeting, shouted. After calming down the commotion, Shin Sook-ju asked Afonso.

“I am very grateful for your support of Florence and the Bonn Empire. But I need confirmation. “Are Portugal’s intentions clear in the declaration just now?”

Shin Sook-joo’s gaze as she asked the question was fixed on the Portuguese officials behind Crown Prince Afonso. Among the Portuguese officials who caught Shin Sook-ju’s gaze, the deputy spoke.

“Yes, the declaration made by the Crown Prince is the will of the Kingdom of Portugal.”

In fact, when the head of the delegation affirmed, the faces of the other envoys became even more serious.

‘What did the Empire promise Portugal!’

‘Is this a proposal worth the risk of war for Portugal?’

Due to the situation becoming more complicated due to Portugal’s unexpected actions, Louis and Maximilian I strongly requested an adjournment, which was accepted.

* * *

The envoys of the great powers quickly stopped the meeting and released people once again.

“Now find out what that ‘offer you can’t refuse’ is!”

“Find out at all costs!” The subordinates who received orders from the higher-ups began to do their best to inquire.

As time passed, the connections and deep pockets that had been built up over the years showed effectiveness, and those who secured information immediately reported it to higher-ups.

“A map? barely?”

“It is said to be a map of a place called Shinji in the ‘Land of Flowers.’”

“Shinji? Find out more details! “Don’t worry about money!”

“ancient!”

As time passed, more detailed information came in.

-The map promised to be provided by the ‘Land of Flowers’ records a significant portion of the eastern coastline of the southern region of Shinji.

-It’s not just the coastline. The map shows the territory of the ‘Land of Flowers’.

-The ‘Land of Flowers’ has confirmed that it does not care about areas outside its territory!

-The problem is that the area is the size of the ‘Unknown Southern Continent’!

“Is this true?”

“The Florentine merchant who told me said that even Lorenzo de’ Medici was astonished when he saw the map.”

“Okay, let’s go out.”

The French-Spanish Habsburg envoys, who had obtained the information by a narrow margin, took on a serious look.

“This situation has become complicated.”

* * *

The envoys of the great powers began to once again consider the current situation and its relationship with the empire.

The most complicated situation here was in France.

-If you look at Suez, it is a community of interests different from the empire.

-But when it comes to the interests at stake in Italy, the Empire is the strongest competitor.

-If we think about France’s future, we need colonies. However, we are already far behind in Africa’s colonial competition.

-What if the empire takes control of the areas it promised not to touch before Portugal?

“If you look at this point, it would be right to withdraw from Italy and reach out to the Empire.”

The French officials present at Louis’ words all nodded, but did not forget what the problem was.

“But that would damage the face of our great France.”

“It’s not just that. We have no idea what benefits we can gain from Shinji or how much we can obtain. But about Italy I already know all that.”

“you’re right. In particular, it is unclear whether the empire truly made concessions in good faith or whether it was neglected because it was a useless area.”

Louis expressed doubts about the official’s point.

“Looking at Portugal’s immediate attachment to the empire, it doesn’t seem like neglect?”

“Isn’t the Prince of Portugal a kid?”

“Even the people who came with us are not kids.”

“Portugal is a small country. “It’s a big win for them, but probably not for us.”

“So let’s ditch Shinji and focus on Italy?”

Most of the officials present responded similarly to Louis’ question.

“I think that makes more sense.”

“Regarding Shinji, it is not too late to take action after seeing Portugal’s movements.”

The officials’ answer was ‘Italy first’. But Louis’ face did not straighten easily.

“That’s fine, but I’m concerned that the imperial army has already entered Italy. And I’m also worried about Spain. “If it’s Spain, there’s a chance they’ll be satisfied with protecting Naples and attack Portugal instead.”

The relationship between Spain and Portugal was ambiguous. It was a situation where each party was plotting to merge the other.

The reason why things happened like this was because the royal families of the two countries were related from the beginning. Therefore, the monarchs of both countries claimed that they had the right to succeed when the other country’s throne became vacant.

But was Shinji’s map passed on to Portugal? Spain, which was superior in every way except its naval power, could have invaded Portugal instead of Italy.

Louis was worried about this. At the same time, Spain was also having similar concerns.

“If it is France, there is a possibility that it will give up Italy and attack Portugal.”

Meanwhile, Maximilian I of Habsburg was smiling in conversion.

“This is where things get interesting.”