Black Corporation: Joseon

Chapter 494

Episode 494 Alliance (3)

For Genoa, Florence could have been the benefactor that enabled it to gain sovereignty.

Genoa escaped from Milan as a result of the four ‘Lombard Wars’.

However, there was no such thing as returning favors or making concessions in the competition for economic interests in the Mediterranean region, including the Levant region, and the African continent.

In such competition, Spain – to be exact, the United Kingdom of Leon and Castile – was the best prey for Genoa.

* * *

While recovering the Iberian Peninsula, the nobility of the Kingdom of Leon-Castillia expelled the Islamic and Jewish forces that dominated the commercial world from the peninsula.

As a result, it was natural that the economy was in shambles, and Genoese merchants filled the place.

Afterwards, as the United Kingdom of Leon-Castile and the Kingdom of Aragon began to pursue one political community, Genoa became more deeply involved. Although the maritime commercial power of the Kingdom of Aragon was formidable, Genoa, which controlled the finances and economy of the Kingdom of Leon-Castillia, had the upper hand.

* * *

Because of this situation, Genoa was closely watching the movements of Portugal, Spain’s strongest competitor, and Florence, Portugal’s strongest supporter – Cosimo de’ Medici, to be exact.

Therefore, no matter how carefully Cosimo moved, he could not completely avoid being caught in Genoa’s surveillance network.

“Cosimo de’ Medici went to the Morea?”

“Didn’t you go to Edirne not too long ago?”

“It was like that. It’s suspicious. “Ask me to dig into more detail.”

Genoese merchants and politicians who sensed something strange in Cosimo’s movements sent messages to those with whom they were in close contact.

Just as Cosimo had an intelligence network in many countries, transcending nationality and religion, so did Genoa.

And the people in power in Genoa began to have doubts about the information received through such helpers and agents.

“10 years of truce?”

“What is missing from the Ottomans that they are pushing for a truce?”

Although Morea was a powerful country, it was completely inferior compared to the Ottomans.

Moorea boasted a large fortress called the ‘Hexa Million Wall’ (????????? ?????? 6-mile wall), but everyone who knew how the world was going recognized the complete superiority of the Ottomans.

In such a situation, the truce was promoted, and it was not difficult for those in power in Genoa to know who was behind it.

“also! “It’s Cosimo de’ Medici’s masterpiece!”

“Why him? Did he suddenly repent?”

“That guy is repenting? If that were the case, Judas Iscariot would not have betrayed the Lord!”

Those in power in Genoa all came to the same conclusion.

-The reason why Cosimo de’ Medici promoted peace was because another schemer was aiming for even greater profits!

“Then what is he aiming for?”

The Genoese authorities, who had been trying to guess what Cosimo’s plan was, finally found the answer.

“Portugal is having fun with the Joseon route right now! But Africa stands in the way!”

“Alexandria!”

“What Cosimo is targeting is Egypt!”

Genoa, having figured out Cosimo de’ Medici’s move, began to think about what Cosimo’s next move would be.

“Obviously Portugal will also move.”

“If Portugal and the Ottomans unite, no matter how Mamluk they are, they will have no choice but to give up Egypt!”

“no! The Mamluks themselves may fall! “The Mamluks of today are not the Mamluks of the past!”

After the war of words that followed, Cosimo’s goals predicted by those in power in Genoa were as follows.

-What the Portuguese-Ottoman alliance is targeting is Egypt. No, not all of Egypt. Only the area containing the shortest route connecting Suez and the Mediterranean Sea needs to be secured.

-The reason is that Suez is the starting point for cargo from Joseon. Therefore, it is likely that Alexandria would not be of much value to the Portuguese and Ottomans.

Those in power in Genoa who had reasoned this far felt a sense of discomfort.

“The great Cosimo is barely satisfied with this?”

“This is great, but is there something missing?”

“Not like Cosimo de’ Medici.”

While those in power in Genoa were agonizing over the strange sense of discomfort that was tickling the backs of their heads, urgent news arrived from France.

It was in the fall of 1443.

-Cosimo de’ Medici contacted Charles VII of France.

“This was it!”

Those in power in Genoa discovered the identity of the discomfort and added a conclusion.

“Cosimo is aiming for Spain’s death! No, he wants to take the entire Mediterranean in his hands and shake it up!”

* * *

The relationship between Spain – the Kingdom of Aragon to be exact – and France was not very good.

There was a conflict with France over Catalonia and even a war over Provence.

Afterwards, there continued to be conflict over the Ositania region, and France’s sovereignty had to be acknowledged due to the defeat at the Battle of Muhet in 1213.

Thanks to this, France, which was a thorn in the side of Spain with its eyes on southern France, would definitely join hands with Cosimo.

Although greatly weakened by the 100 Years’ War, France was a European power. The abundance of agricultural products and population from the vast territory were incomparable to other countries.

Funnily enough, it was France who had an army trained through the 100 Years’ War. Although his physical strength was weakened due to the long fight, Cosimo had the ability to restore it.

A complete recovery may be impossible, but Cosimo was someone who had enough ability to recover to a usable level.

After gathering all the news from France, those in power in Genoa finally came to a conclusion.

-What Cosimo de Medici is aiming for is the isolation of Spain!

-Isolate Spain, let it die, and then take over the economic power of the Mediterranean!

* * *

Genoa, realizing Cosimo de’ Medici’s intentions, moved quickly.

“First, we need to contact the Royal Palace of Spain, right?”

When one of the ‘Consuls’ who ran Genoa mentioned the King of Spain, the other Consuls collectively let out a long sigh.

“Whoa~. “Can that idiot really understand the situation?”

* * *

Juan II, now King of the United Kingdom of Leon and Castile, was incompetent.

No, not only was he incompetent, but he had no interest in government affairs itself. Therefore, Prime Minister Alvaro de Luna was in charge of state affairs.

Since the king had let go, there was no way for the government to run properly. The aristocratic alliance centered around Juan II’s cousins and Vi Maria from the Kingdom of Aragon were constantly creating disputes, claiming that Luna was manipulating state affairs.

Paradoxically, it was because of this situation that Genoa was able to easily dominate the economy.

* * *

“I may be incompetent, but I am the king and royal family in name, so I should contact you, right?”

“They may be preoccupied with fighting over food, but they will realize the seriousness of the situation. “If you make a mistake, even your fine plate will be blown away.”

“Let’s not forget Aragorn either.”

“Perhaps Aragorn would be better suited for this task.”

When the ‘Kingdom of Aragon’ was mentioned, the Genoese consuls’ eyes sparkled, but their faces soon became filled with worry.

“The problem is the merchants of Aragorn. “Don’t you know how clever they are?”

“That’s the problem.”

It’s a repeating story, but although the Kingdom of Aragon was a separate kingdom from the Kingdom of Leon-Castile, it was almost like they were one kingdom. They were closely linked by marriage for generations, and it was King Fernando I of Aragon who even served as regent for Juan II.

Therefore, the consuls of Genoa mentioned Aragon as the next best option. However, Aragon had strong competitors: Aragon’s sea merchants.

They controlled southern Italy, Sicily, and even the Levin region, and were the biggest rivals of Genoese power.

Although they agonized over their most powerful beings, the consuls had no choice but to come to a conclusion.

“I guess I have no choice but to inform Aragorn as well. “I’m sure they know very well that if they are pushed out of here, they will have no choice but to starve to death.”

The Genoese consuls came to that conclusion and immediately sent messengers.

* * *

February 1444.

The powerful people of Leon-Castillery and Aragon, who received the urgent report sent by Genoa, immediately sent messengers and had a meeting with the Genoese consuls.

“Is this true?”

The Genoese consuls nodded in response to the question sent by Prime Minister Luna. Afterwards, messengers sent from Aragon received the horse.

“We did our own research, and there is a very high probability that it is true.”

When Jenova and Aragorn confirmed that it was true, Luna’s messenger muttered with a white face.

“Then it’s a really big deal! “Is there any solution?”

The Consul of Genoa who received the question answered immediately.

“We have no choice but to build alliances.”

“alliance? With whom?”

“First of all, the Mamluks.”

“Nonsense!”

When the Genoese consul mentioned the Mamluks, the Lion of Luna screamed in a fit of rage.

“Let’s join hands with those damn Islamists? “Do you think that makes sense?”

“Otherwise you’ll just be ruined.”

“Huh…”

At the consul’s cold reply, Luna’s messenger sat down on the chair with a devastated expression.

At that sight, the Lion of Aragorn opened his mouth.

“No matter how much it is because of Portugal and the Ottomans, there will be severe backlash if we simply form an alliance. “You have to give them the right carrot.”

“Is there anything suitable?”

The messenger of Aragorn briefly answered the consul’s question.

“Jerusalem.”

As soon as the word ‘Jerusalem’ was mentioned, the room became heated.

“Will the Mamluks give up Jerusalem? Even now, they are the same Jews who were in Jerusalem and are trying to stop the seeds of Christians?”

The messenger of Aragorn smiled slightly and responded to the consul’s point.

“Will the Muslims give it up easily? “We are only guaranteed safe passage.”

“Hmm…”

The Consul nodded at what the messenger of Aragorn said. After thinking for a moment, the Consul opened his mouth.

“It’s okay. “That alone is a great harvest and may serve as another cause later.”

“That’s right.”

Before we knew it, the messenger of Aragon and the consul of Genoa were taking the lead in carrying out the work, and the messenger of Luna was left to just watch.

“Aren’t the Mamluks alone not enough?”

“of course. So I thought about it, and I wonder if we should bring in the Habsburgs and England. “Those two would be perfect to keep France in check.”

“Very good!”

* * *

While a complex power structure was being created in Europe, Joseon was also busy moving forward.

March 1444.

Sejong had finally set off for Shinji.

Sejong looked back at the newly launched large engine ship in front of him.

“Are you sure you have no regrets about being good?”

“That’s right. Shouldn’t we keep the agreement we made with Soja Abama? “I will dress you in the most beautiful yellow dragon robe in the world.”

In response to Hyang’s response, King Sejong lightly patted Hyang’s shoulder but did not forget his request.

“Don’t just trust you. But don’t do it first. “The most important thing is the cause.”

“I will keep this in mind again and again.”

“You will do well.”

After showing his strong belief in incense, King Sejong boarded the ship.

As the ship carrying King Sejong disappeared into the distance under escort, Hyang turned around.

Hyang approached the four people who were waiting a little distance away and opened his mouth with a grin.

“Okay then, let’s get to work! “I’m going to be very busy from now on.”

At Hyang’s words, the four people internally screamed at the same time.

‘I’m still very busy, but I’m even busier? ‘I’d rather kill you!’