Black Corporation: Joseon

Chapter 863

Episode 863: Their Ambition (14)

In the end, Wan ordered a thorough analysis of the ‘Florence Long Gun’ sent by Hyang.

Although he accepted the opinions of the new faction symbolized by Lim Sun-wook, there was also a problem with the authority of Emperor Wan himself.

“Everyone knows that the situation is thorough. But it was said that it was a match made in heaven. “As it is a matter that has a great deal to do with the future of the empire, it is right to take another look and consider it.”

“I follow your orders!”

The ministers responded to Wan’s command by bowing their heads. While bowing their heads like that, the ministers looked at Shin Suk-ju from the corner of their eyes.

Shin Sook-ju, who had already been photographed by Wan, was bowing her head with a dead look on her face.

Rumors related to Shin Sook-ju were overflowing in the back alleys of Yukjo Street.

-They say that not only the emperor but also the crown prince is looking for Shin Suk-ju!

-They said the Board of Audit and Inspection is already digging into Shin Sook-ju’s back!

The rumors that were circulating among officials had already spread behind Shin Sook-ju. After that, Shin Suk-ju began to work even harder and save herself.

But before he knew it, people around him were moving away.

Seeing Shin Suk-ju like that, all the ministers clicked their tongues.

‘Tsk! So, I should have moved around a bit!’

‘You should have stopped when you were fighting with the Minister of Finance and Economy!’

* * *

While Shin Sook-ju was desperately trying to make up for her mistakes, Area 51 meticulously analyzed the Florence rifle.

Area 51’s gun craftsmen were ablaze with enthusiasm. This was because after Hyang went to Shinji, the number of guns made in Area 51 was increasingly adopted as a ritual, and the competitive spirit became stronger.

The craftsmen who diligently opened and analyzed the Florentine rifle all looked at the Florentine rifle with ambiguous expressions.

“It’s the same situation….”

“It looks like it’s well made, but it’s a really poorly made long gun.”

If the developers of the original Mosin-Nagant had heard this, they would have been unable to hide their disappointment, but the craftsmen were sincere.

In the case of firearms that had been made with a spoonful of flavor, they were basically originals with excellent capabilities with ergonomics added.

Therefore, the Florence long gun, which was honestly designed as the original and added some inconveniences, had no choice but to become a ‘vaguely poorly made product’.

“But it’s much better than Eulsik.”

“That’s why it’s scarier.”

“Anyway, let’s write a report and post it.”

A few days later, a report was sent to Wan through Crown Prince Hyeon.

The prefectural government and ministers who had checked the report in advance all had ambiguous expressions.

“Why are you looking like that?”

“You will know when you look at the report.”

“Hmm…”

At Hyun’s answer, Wan stopped asking questions and opened the report.

The contents of the report were summarized as follows.

-The accuracy of the Florentine rifle is lower than that of the double rifle. However, it does not drop significantly.

-The Florence long gun is slightly lighter in weight. However, this is also not light enough to be obvious.

-The steel that makes up the barrel and engine part of a long gun is one grade lower than the steel used in the imperial army’s long gun and short gun wagons.

-Both the thickness of the gun barrel and the thickness of the hammer are slightly thinner than those of the imperial army.

-Therefore, the durability of the Florentine rifle is best at a level that barely satisfies the requirements of the imperial army.

-After processing the latest European steel obtained from Area 51, making it according to specifications, and testing it, it was confirmed that proper performance was not guaranteed.

-What makes it superior to a double rifle is its simple structure. Even if a country has a lower level of technology compared to the empire, production is possible.

“Huh~.”

Wan, who had read the entire report, made a bewildered expression.

I confirmed it while actually shooting, and it was something I already knew through the local documents. However, the report written and posted by experts had a different weight.

“Hmm…”

Wan looked at the report once again and looked at Lim Sun-wook.

“Minister of Finance and Economy. “I will ask.”

“Please ask.”

“Can you ease your worries with a Florentine rifle?”

After gathering his thoughts for a moment in response to Wan’s question, Lim Soon-wook bowed his head again and answered.

“I think it would be a good idea to hand over the Florentine rifles on the condition that the armored light wagons are not sold at all and all freight cars and artillery pieces are purchased from the empire. Also, I think it would be a good idea to hand over the technology and tool blueprints but purchase the materials from the empire as an optional condition.”

“A choice?”

“If you force it from the beginning, it will feel like a hard sell, but once they realize that they cannot reach what the empire has created, they will come to the rescue on their own.”

“Right.”

Wan nodded at Im Soon-wook’s words and looked back at Shin Suk-ju.

“Minister of Foreign Affairs.”

As soon as Wan called, Shin Sook-ju immediately responded by bowing her head.

“Yes, Your Majesty! “We will definitely conclude the negotiation according to the conditions stated by the Minister of Finance and Economy!”

Wan responded to Shin Sook-ju’s answer in an emotionless voice.

“I’ll look forward to it.”

“I will definitely make it happen!”

This is what happened while Giovanni was in drag.

* * *

“The Minister of Foreign Affairs asked to see you tomorrow at 2:30 PM.”

Giovanni, who was restlessly waiting for an answer in the Medici family’s mansion in Seoul, responded with delight to the message from the Foreign Ministry official.

“I will definitely be there at that time!”

“All right. then.”

The next day, Giovanni visited the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at the appointed time. Giovanni entered the office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs under the guidance of an official, saw Shin Sook-ju, and immediately greeted her.

“long time no see. Minister.”

“Long time no see. Come this way.”

Shin Suk-ju, who offered Giovanni a seat, sat across from him.

“How did your Majesty make your decision?”

“Your Majesty has made great concessions for Florence, a good neighbor of the Empire.”

“then!”

Giovanni’s face brightened at Shin Sook-ju’s answer. Looking at Giovanni’s face, Shin Suk-ju continued speaking.

“You authorized the dispatch of instructors to train the Florentine army. “We will dispatch it as soon as Florence is ready.”

“I am truly grateful for Your Majesty’s bravery!”

Giovanni, who expressed gratitude for Wan’s decision, soon moved on.

“And how did you decide on the weapon?”

After a brief pause, Shin Sook-ju spoke of her requirements.

“There are a few conditions. Wagons and artillery must be purchased from the Empire. Bullets for freight cars and long guns must be purchased from the empire.”

“Hmm…”

Giovanni was lost in thought with a serious expression on Shin Sook-ju’s words. Giovanni, who had been thinking about it in his mind, soon nodded.

“I will accept it.”

‘This is as expected.’

* * *

Before coming to Seoul, Giovanni had discussed with working-level officials in Florence what conditions the empire would impose.

Among the things that came out there were the conditions that Shin Sook-ju just mentioned.

And the answer to these conditions was ‘I accept.’

-The current iron manufacturing facilities and technology in Florence cannot produce cannons with the same performance as the imperial cannons.

-Similarly, it is impossible to produce large quantities of bullets with Florence’s production facilities and capabilities.

-Therefore, if the empire presents the above conditions, it has no choice but to accept them.

-Instead of accepting this condition, permission to produce long guns must be obtained. Starting with long guns, we catch up with the Empire.

This was the conclusion that emerged from the discussion at the time and came to Seoul with Cosimo’s approval.

* * *

“I will accept the conditions presented by the Empire. However, we also have conditions. “I would like to produce and procure the long guns used by the imperial army directly in Florence.”

“Hmm…”

Shin Suk-ju kept her mouth shut at Giovanni’s request. As Shin Sook-ju’s silence became longer, Giovanni continued speaking.

“The Empire and Florence are good neighbors with shared interests. If you have something to give, shouldn’t you also have something to receive? “Florence must make at least long guns ourselves.”

Giovanni emphasized the legitimacy of his demands. Shin Sook-ju, who remained silent for a moment, slowly opened her mouth.

“I already know that part from the last request. However, it is impossible to allow the production of military rifles used by our military.”

“Minister!”

“It is a problem related to the safety of the empire, but there is also a problem with Florence. “It is our empire’s judgment that it is impossible to mass-produce military rifles with the dexterity of Florentine craftsmen.”

“Wouldn’t the empire just send craftsmen to teach that?”

Since this part was also expected, Giovanni immediately suggested an alternative.

“The empire does not send out artisans carelessly. Instead…”

Shin Sook-ju paused for a moment and quenched her throat with black bean tea. Giovanni desperately held back the growing heat at Shin Sook-ju’s relaxed behavior.

“Whoa~.”

Shin Sook-ju let out a small sigh and continued.

“Instead, I made a long gun that was made in Florence and could be used. “It’s called the ‘Florentine rifle.’”

“Florentine rifle?”

“Is there a soldier among the group who is familiar with long guns?”

“there is.”

“Then let’s meet tomorrow at the Imperial Army Headquarters. The time is…”

* * *

The next day, Giovanni visited the headquarters with his group.

The soldier who greeted Giovanni’s group at the entrance guided them to the shooting range.

“This is a Florentine rifle.”

Giovanni, who saw the long guns in front of him, looked back at the officer who came with him.

After receiving the silent order, the officer headed to the place where the long guns were placed with the soldiers.

The officers and soldiers, who learned how to use it through an interpreter, loaded five bullets into the Florence rifle and pulled the trigger toward the target.

“It’s best!”

After completing the test, the officer reported to Giovanni with a flushed face.

At first, the soldiers seemed to stutter a little, but after 10 shots, they got used to it and showed incredible rapid fire.

“It has a much better rate of fire than an Eulsik long rifle! “It’s a really cool long gun!”

Giovanni had a strange expression upon hearing the officer’s report. As far as he knew, the best advantage of a double rifle was that it could fire five rounds in succession.

In order to win in a situation where they were outnumbered in size, superiority in quality was essential, so they requested double-type long rifles.

‘But you made a special long gun for us that has the same performance as a double rifle? Unrequited favor makes you look like a saint, and those who are closer to Satan than saints are the Empire. why?’

Giovanni couldn’t hide his ominous feeling.

In the end, Giovanni argued and listened.

“Why did the Empire make long guns exclusively for us?”

“This is because the talents of Florentine craftsmen cannot properly make a military rifle. “This Florentine long gun….”

After hearing the characteristics of the Florentine long gun, Giovanni felt even more incomprehensible and continued to question it.

“Why does the empire show this favor? “It’s so strange to receive this kind of favor.”

Shin Sook-ju responded to Giovanni’s words with a grin.

“It is certain that a big game will occur in the future, but the empire does not want to bet on a losing game.”

“Ah…”

In response to Shin Sook-ju’s answer, Giovanni actually looked relieved, as if the tooth he had been suffering from had fallen out.

‘okay! ‘These are the Empire!’