Black Corporation: Joseon

Chapter 836

Episode 836: Pursuit in Europe (3)

With the establishment of ‘Seoul Security Service’, most of the field agents of the Secret Service moved to Seoul Security Service.

It wasn’t just a matter of changing seats.

The relationship with Giru, where the field agents were mainly based, also completely changed.

In the past, it was ‘living on the roof’, but after the launch of the service, it changed to ‘work contract between the service and the roof’.

These changes had the effect of vastly expanding the scope of activities of secret agents.

Before that, I had to stay almost permanently at the base and had to make all kinds of excuses and lies when I was away for camouflage operations. Nevertheless, he had to receive various looks of suspicion from gisaengs and customers who did not know Milwi’s identity.

However, this problem was resolved when the contract format was changed.

“I went somewhere else because of a contract issue.”

“I went on a business trip because I had an important request.”

If I said it this way, everyone would nod their heads and move on.

Although this solved the psychological difficulties of the agents, it was not a complete answer.

“If you worked so hard to enter the military gate, you should be praised for longevity! How did you join the Parakho group? Ah! You are a disgrace to the family! “I will dig it up from the genealogy, so you will know!”

Agents from prestigious noble families were expelled from the family, regardless of whether they were the legitimate child or firstborn.

It wasn’t just the family that was kicked out.

“Look! Have you forgotten the Cheongunjiji (????) that you cherished together through the hardships and sorrows of joining the military after studying at the military academy as an alumni? “How did it become Parakho?”

“I’m sorry. “It looks like I couldn’t overcome Yeokmasal.”

“You’re talking like a reverse demon! From now on, you will no longer be my friend!”

I was abandoned by my colleagues who I had shared joys and sorrows with at the military academy and in the military.

Every time something like that happened, Milwi’s agents overcame their worries with a drink and worked even harder on their mission.

Because of their common sense of solidarity, the agents of the Militia banded together more closely than anyone else and were loyal to the emperor.

“Only His Majesty acknowledges us! “Isn’t it a gentleman’s dream to be recognized by the monarch?”

* * *

When the ‘Seoul Security Service’ was launched, Hyang gave one preferential treatment.

The possession of short and long guns was permitted. Of course, there were prerequisites.

-Possession and use are prohibited within the empire.

Even with these prerequisites, there was considerable opposition to allowing gun ownership.

In response, the township explained why it had to grant permission.

-It is already a well-known fact that the security of countries other than the empire is unstable.

-In addition, there are reports that bandits armed with firearms are common.

-It is diplomatically and financially problematic to always bring the imperial army along to protect merchants traveling to places like this.

-For this reason, it is reasonable to allow those in charge of their security to carry and use firearms.

-However, since indiscriminate arming with firearms cannot be permitted, it is reasonable to give preferential treatment only to those who have been granted security service permission.

Since the reason given by the Hyang was reasonable, the ministers expressed their opposition.

Thanks to this, Milwi has become much more comfortable managing guns.

Although secret weapons such as silent rifles could not be revealed, other weapons could be supplied openly, and in particular, the supply of ammunition became easier.

* * *

As Hyang expected, as soon as the security service was launched, merchants traveling overseas, especially to Europe, hired them as bodyguards.

Most merchants had their own bodyguards, but guns were a problem.

Even though it was a matchlock gun, there were guard warriors armed with swords in front of the bandits armed with guns, but they were mana.

However, it was not possible to receive escort from the imperial army every time.

In this situation, hiring people armed with guns as escorts would solve everything.

This was because even in countries where imperial soldiers could not enter, entry was permitted if they were bodyguards rather than soldiers.

Unintended victims emerged as merchants attempting to travel abroad, especially to Europe, rushed to contract with Seoul security services.

These were the existing guard warriors.

When signing a contract for service, the merchants fired the bodyguards. When the guard warriors, who had suddenly become unemployed, were in a state of despair, Milwi approached them.

It was ‘Songdo Security Yoyeok’, another undercover company under Milwi.

And the township allowed them the same preferential treatment as Seoul security services.

* * *

Moving with merchants like this, Milwi advanced into Europe.

The merchants who hired them moved away from traditional trading areas such as Alexandria and Suez and established bases in places such as Florence, Paris, London, and Vienna.

It was also the result of these merchants that French lace became popular throughout the empire.

These adventurous merchants of the empire soon became friends with the upper classes of European countries.

This was because the amount of money they distributed was enormous.

Naturally, banquets where nobles invited imperial merchants or merchants invited nobles became more frequent.

And the Secret Service agents in charge of security at the banquet hall swept up the information flowing out.

What’s interesting is that the place where this banquet was held was an imperial-style Giru.

* * *

Many foreigners stayed in the empire to study for trade.

Unlike the Ming, Japan, and other Asian countries, Giru was a very impressive place for Europeans.

Europeans, especially merchants, who were deeply impressed by Giru and Gisaeng, returned to their home countries and made something similar to Giru, but everyone who experienced Giru in the empire shook their heads.

“This is not it!”

“That’s a parasitic? “A prostitute wearing nothing but imperial clothes!”

Here the empire’s merchants and secret agents seized their opportunity.

“If you use it well, you can keep your eyes and ears on Europe!”

Milwi’s disguised merchants, who already had experience managing Giru in the North, moved quickly.

Immediately after obtaining permission from the imperial government, they rushed to Europe and obtained permission to establish establishment in Paris, London, Vienna, and Florence.

The foundation erected in this way soon became loved by nobles and merchants.

The biggest reason why Giru installed in Europe became popular was gisaeng.

They were not prostitutes wearing imperial clothes, but properly educated beauties within the walls.

* * *

In the past, the slave girls that Kim Jong-seo brought with him became, over time, famous women known in the empire.

Seeing that girls became famous enough to perform their singing and dancing at banquets hosted by the emperor, many people went all the way to Alexandria to look for girls with promising futures and raised them as gisaeng.

The same was true for Giru, run by Milwi, so there were many gisaengs from Europe and they were brought back to Europe.

And the gisaengs within these walls soon became regulars in European society.

Milwi did not stop here.

He went to orphanages scattered throughout Europe to find girls with potential and raised them to become future gisaeng.

Of course, the priests who ran the orphanage were reluctant, and the agents of the Militia worked hard to persuade them.

“It would be nice if they lived well as adults, but wouldn’t seven or eight out of ten girls become prostitutes and seven or eight out of ten boys become mercenaries or thieves? “A gisaeng is not a prostitute!”

And the gisaeng raised in this way became the ears of Milwi without even knowing it.

* * *

The imperial-style rouge ‘Red Moon (lune rouge)’ built in Montmartre, Paris.

Various banquets were taking place in Giru’s rooms and outbuildings.

Servants and maids were busy delivering alcohol and food, and courtiers were moving between rooms and outbuildings, dancing and singing, or sitting next to the guests and pouring drinks to cheer them up.

“Today is unusually busy… There is no time to rest. “There is no time to rest.”

The female gisaeng in charge of running Giru kept grumbling with her mouth, but her face was full of smiles.

“I’m asking for more drinks and snacks in Eulsil. Are you asking for a new award?”

“also?”

“yes.”

The servant girl frowned at the servant’s answer.

There were now four guests in Eulsil.

One was a merchant who had already come two or three times, and the other three appeared to be the merchant’s customers.

The problem was the cost of alcohol. The price of alcohol in ‘Red Moon’ was famous for being expensive. But now it was the third time setting the table.

Although he was a merchant who had never had a credit card, he was not rich enough to pay such a high price for alcohol.

The three people who came with us were added. At first glance, their appearance was full of rudeness, but they did not seem like people who would come to a place like this.

“Ha~. This is not a trauma… Sigh~.”

The courtesan gisaeng sighed and ordered the servant.

“Go and get Manager Kim.”

“yes.”

* * *

After a while, Gisaeng Haengsu entered Eulsil with Manager Kim, who had been sent from Yongyeok.

Entering Eulsil, the royal gisaeng spoke to the merchant with a bright smile.

“oh! Mr. Martin! I heard you asked me to set the table again? “I think you’ve already drunk too much. Why don’t you stop?”

Hearing the gisaeng’s words, the merchant waved his hand.

“are you okay! are you okay! Please prepare a new table and bring it with you! “Bring more alcohol!”

“The kids got drunk a lot… and the drinks cost a lot…”

“Then let’s bring in some new gisaengs! “Don’t worry about the cost of alcohol!”

“But…” As

the gisaeng began to trail off, the merchant raised his voice, pointing to the three people present.

“I told you not to worry about money! I know who these people are! Alchemists! What’s even more amazing is that these people created the silver!”

“What is the width?”

At the word ‘pok-eun’, the gisaeng tilted her head, and the face of Manager Kim, who was present, slightly hardened.

Whether he knew this or not, the merchant continued speaking with vigor.

“Yes, width! It’s already been patented! He even signed a contract to be with me! “Now all that’s left is to make money!”

“Is that so… haha… I understand.”

* * *

The party in question continued to drink after that and returned in the carriage drunk.

Fortunately, there were no injuries, so the gisaeng was satisfied, but Manager Kim had a serious look on his face.

Manager Kim returned to his room and sighed.

“Whoa~. “Poe-eun…”

Manager Kim, who had a serious look on his face, pointed out a finger.

“The drinking carriage is coming in two days, right? If that’s the case, I guess I’ll have to dig a little deeper…” *

* *

The report written by Manager Kim arrived in Seoul through the fastest route.

-Completion of development of material similar to French silver.

-It is estimated to have a similar level of stability and explosive power as the bomb used by the Empire.

-It is estimated that mass production is possible.

Wan, who confirmed the urgent news through his camouflage, let out a long sigh.

“Whoa~. “Poek-eun… Pok-eun…”

Wan, who was thinking about the word ‘pok-eun’ over and over again, remembered Hyang’s words.

-If the Europeans create a silver surplus, from then on they will chase the empire like crazy.

-From then on, the emperor of the empire must be alert.

“But why now? “Such a curse…”

Wan grumbled at the fact that something had happened while he was the emperor.