Black Corporation: Joseon

Chapter 493

Episode 493 Alliance (2)

January 1443.

Lisbon, the capital of Portugal.

In the office of Pedro, Duke of Coimbra, Pedro, Cosimo, and Henrique were sitting around a table in the middle.

“This is what I gained from this voyage.”

Pedro looked at the ledger that Henry presented and nodded.

“You made a big profit this time too.”

“Yes, the slave trade and trade in Africa was profitable, but we also made great profits through goods brought from Joseon.”

“Hmm…”

Pedro, who was looking at the ledger again while listening to Henrique’s explanation, let out a long sigh.

“I can’t help it. “We have continued to generate a surplus for three years, and that is a very large surplus.”

In the end, Pedro waved the white flag to Cosimo.

* * *

I said I would decide based on the results of the first two voyages, but Pedro was taking a negative view. That’s why Pedro added an extra year.

“I’ll look into the situation for one more year!”

‘The Joseon route is a highly profitable route, but connecting with the Ottomans carries too much risk!’

The reason he saw it as dangerous was because of Osman’s position.

Geographically, the Ottomans, who occupied the eastern part of the Mediterranean Sea, were steadily encroaching on the Balkan Peninsula.

-If Byzantium is eaten up, Europe will be next!

European countries west of the Mediterranean were worried about this and were watching the Ottoman Empire carefully.

Another risk was internal political problems.

Currently, Pedro’s biggest political opponent was his half-brother, Apunsu, Count of Barcellus. He used his wealth to recruit nobles and soon rose to become his biggest political opponent.

The recent decision to take office as the first Duke of Braganza was an event that was like a symbol of the fact that he had become Pedro’s biggest enemy.

Pedro wanted to stop it, but was pushed aside by the support of the nobles and political pressure.

In this situation, linking up with the Ottomans could have meant going up to the gallows.

The countries that emerged after expelling the Islamic forces from the Iberian Peninsula were Spain and Portugal. Although Portugal showed a more flexible attitude than Spain, which was fiercely anti-Islamic, solidarity with Islam itself was a serious burden.

The only force that Pedro believed in was the bourgeoisie that grew based on the Mediterranean and African regions.

To maintain their support, Pedro issued decrees and decrees to help them. And this was what led to the feud with the nobles centered around the Duke of Braganza.

* * *

“Good. I will be with you. However, do not forget that if the things you promised regarding Jerusalem, securing the safety of transportation routes, and fair distribution of profits are not properly realized, not only me but you will be ruined.”

In response to Pedro’s warning, Cosimo placed his right hand on his chest and slightly lowered his head.

“I know very well. I will do my best.”

“Also, I will deny everything until we officially sign an agreement with the Ottomans.”

“Of course.”

Cosimo, who readily agreed with Pedro’s words, stood up.

“Then let’s go. “There are so many people we need to find.”

“There are a lot of eyes watching, so I won’t see you off.”

“yes.”

After Cosimo left the room, Pedro stood up and walked to the window.

Pedro, who was watching the carriage carrying Cosimo disappear while being escorted by heavily armed guards, looked back at Henrik.

“Will it succeed?”

“One of the sayings I heard in Joseon is ‘Riding on the back of a tiger.’ Now it has become an irreversible situation. From now on, I have no choice but to stay alert and do my best.”

“I guess so…”

Pedro, who had been nodding at Henrique’s words, inevitably gritted his teeth.

“Damn Braganza! On the topic of a concubine’s child! Damn nobles! Small people who only think about their own interests! “If it weren’t for those guys, there wouldn’t have been any need to hide and pursue the work like this!”

When Pedro became angry, Henry consoled him.

“Now is the time to be patient. Brother, you need to get your hands on the bourgeoisie as much as possible. The banquet dresses worn by nobles, the delicacies they eat, and the soldiers guarding castles and mansions are all provided by the bourgeoisie. “If you truly take control of the bourgeoisie, the nobles will also submit to you.”

“As long as I guarantee their interests and freedom, they will support me. The problem is that I can guarantee freedom, but the benefit is yours. Are you confident?”

“Please leave it to me!”

Henrik answered Pedro’s question confidently.

* * *

This wasn’t just Henry’s bravado. In fact, Henrik was confident that he would guarantee benefits to the Portuguese bourgeoisie. Trade with Joseon, which started with three ships, has already increased to six ships, and even now, more than one ship bypasses Africa and comes to Suez.

As the number of ships heading to Joseon increased, shipyards in Lisbon and Florence continued to build ships to fill the vacancies. And the captains and crews who moved those ships were constantly being hired.

It was natural that a huge amount of money was moving through all of this, and that money was enriching the Portuguese bourgeoisie.

* * *

After gaining Pedro’s cooperation, Cosimo immediately returned to Florence.

“Let’s see… where should I start?”

Cosimo once again reviewed the information sent by merchants and artisans.

“I guess we don’t have to go to the Habsburgs.”

Cosimo was the first to remove the Holy Roman Empire from the list of candidates.

* * *

At that time, the Holy Roman Empire was in chaos itself.

Albrecht II died and Frederick was elected king of Germany. It was the birth of Frederick IV.

But the situation was not good. Frederick IV was incapable of uniting and ruling the Holy Roman Empire, which was fragmented into numerous autonomous territories and aristocracies. Thanks to this, Frederick IV had to step down from political affairs due to the rebellion of the Austrian nobles and the conflict with the German princes. And this made the situation even worse, leading to a power struggle with his own brother, King Albrecht VI.

In this situation, the Holy Roman Empire was in a situation where mergers and alliances were commonplace.

* * *

Cosimo, who had deleted the Holy Roman Empire from the list of candidates, looked at the map and muttered.

“Should we go to Moorea first? Or should we go to Edirne first?”

Unlike Constantinople, which was falling, Morea gradually grew in power and became the new center of the Eastern Roman Empire. Therefore, Despotes Constantine, the despot who ruled there, was considered the actual ruler of the Eastern Roman Empire.

Another destination, Edirne, was the capital of the Ottoman Empire and Murat II was there.

“Which one should I stop first?…”

After pondering this and that, Cosimo soon came to a conclusion.

“It would be natural to find Edirne first.”

* * *

Cosimo, having decided on his destination, moved on.

“Spain is a bit difficult. The same goes for Genoa and Venice. Hmm….”

Cosimo, who was worried about Venice, his rival and Genoa’s archenemy, which became Spain’s source of money, began to secretly plot.

“They don’t get along well…”

Cosimo continued to look at the map, thinking about the outlines of a plan to keep Genoa, Spain’s money maker, in check.

“Still, Spain is at stake. Hmm….”

Cosimo, who was staring intently at the map, lightly smacked his lips.

“Tsk! Should we include France again? “Those greedy people?”

* * *

The Hundred Years’ War between England and France was already over.

Charles VII also went through a formal coronation ceremony and became King of France. The Murgundian faction and the Armagnac faction, which were causing a self-destructive rebellion, reached reconciliation in Arras and ended the internal strife.

As France’s internal affairs stabilized, the long-running war was about to come to an end.

Of course, sporadic fighting continued, but British and French messengers were working hard to negotiate a truce.

* * *

Staring at France on the map, Cosimo summed up the situation.

“The mercenaries are the ones who become hungry as soon as the war ends. If you leave these guys alone, they will immediately become a band of thieves… Hmm….”

Cosimo, who was thinking about various cases, chuckled.

“Heh! As expected, I have to give him an appropriate carrot. Spanish food would be delicious, right? At the same time, we have to sort out some of our debt relationships….”

After organizing how he would use France, Cosimo soon began drawing up an overall outline.

“First of all, we must stop the Ottoman advance northward and prevent Morea from being installed carelessly, right? If they install it, everything will go wrong. Next, use France to tie down Spain, and in the meantime, Portugal and the Ottomans can take control of Egypt.”

Cosimo, who had drawn such a large sketch, stroked his beard.

“It’s been a while since I got to meet the Pope.”

Cosimo, who had completed the big picture of planning a meeting with the Pope, glared at the Joseon map and muttered.

“If things go right, there won’t be people who care about the ‘western route to Joseon’ for as little as 5 years or as long as 10 years. And if done well, you can benefit for at least 20 years.”

Cosimo was planning a huge war that would involve many countries for his own benefit.

* * *

Cosimo, who had drawn a big picture, soon began to move quickly.

Cosimo arrived in Edirne using the fastest ship and visited Murat II.

“Sultan. Have you finally made your decision?”

“Cosimo de’ Medici, pagan merchant. Do you really think this will help me?”

“It’s helpful enough.”

In response to Murat II’s question, Cosimo presented the ledger he had received from Henry.

“That’s the profit we made with just six ships. “If the plan is successful, we will be able to share dozens of times the benefits.”

“It’s not just a matter of money.”

Cosimo nodded at Murat II’s point.

“you’re right. That is why it includes Jerusalem. ‘Guardian of Jerusalem, everyone’s holy place.’ ‘A merciful monarch who protects all pilgrims who visit the Holy Land.’ “What could be more glorious than this?”

“Hmm…”

After falling into the hands of the Mamluks, Jews and Christians had almost disappeared from Jerusalem. Islamic teachings spoke of mercy, but the Mamluk leaders drove them into the desert.

Therefore, if they acquired Jerusalem and then opened their doors appropriately, they would gain enormous political benefits.

* * *

A month later, a messenger from Murat II secretly visited Florence.

The messenger who met Cosimo conveyed Murat II’s intentions.

“The Sultan told me to tell him that he will join us.”

“I understand.”

As Murat II entered the game, Cosimo smiled broadly and prepared to set off.

“I’m going to Morea!”

* * *

Meanwhile, there were some who were watching closely as Cosimo was running around like this.

They were Genoese merchants, one of Cosimo’s strongest competitors.

“Florence is suspicious. “I need to come to my senses.”