Black Corporation: Joseon

Chapter 879

Episode 879: Generation Change (10)

As time passed, the officer candidates who had gone to the Empire to study returned one by one.

The returning candidates were classified as beginner, intermediate, and senior officers.

There were two main criteria for assigning ranks to candidates.

One was the transcript submitted by the candidates, and the other was when they returned from studying abroad.

The report card was certified by the Imperial Military Academy. There were some who attempted to forge, but these idiots could not avoid the eyes of the instructors staying in Florence.

“Who do these idiots think we are? “Did you think you could avoid the eyes of those people who rolled around at the military academy?”

“There’s nothing to see! Definitely expelled! They are the ones who ate everything from the very beginning! “They are the ones who will sell the weapons they are given to the enemy!”

Instructors insisted on the expulsion of those who attempted to cheat. However, Lorenzo, Giovanni, and those at the top of the Florentine military had slightly different thoughts.

“Still, they are the ones who learned from the Empire and returned…”

“If they go to become mercenaries in another city, they can pass on our tactics and strategies. “Something needs to be done.”

“They may be stupid, but they are the seeds of our family… We can’t

just kill them all…”

As this opinion became mainstream, the fate of the idiots in question was determined by their rank as non-commissioned officers.

“Be thankful just for saving my life! If you want to become an officer, accumulate merit!”

By another standard, it was the ‘time of return’ for a very simple reason.

“If you are properly educated, there is no reason to come early, right?”

“It was better than expected, so we may have shortened the time…”

“Was there such a guy?”

“Not yet…”

This is how the ranks of the candidates were decided.

Next was the decision on the class.

-The guys with the best results are artillery, then engineers, and then supply.

* * *

With the Florentine military command and officer corps smoothly established, the next step was to expand the size of the army.

Based on the capital of the Medici family and the defense budget allocated from the budget, the imperial army instructors and the Florentine military command increased the size of the army.

“It’s too slow…”

“But it’s hard to speed up as you want. “Budget is also an issue and there are too many eyes watching.”

Florence’s strong competitors, including Milan, Genoa, and Venice, also had ears to hear and eyes to see.

Therefore, they were also aware of Florence’s movements and were gradually paying attention to their military power.

But their choice was a traditional one.

-Hire more and more mercenaries.

Even though he knew through spies hidden in Florence that the Florentine army was built and operated in the style of the imperial army, he chose the traditional method.

The reason they insisted on traditional methods was because of distrust.

-The Empire is said to be a powerhouse in the East, but can it exert its power in Europe as well?

-Italy has its own way! The Empire’s methods don’t work!

On this basis, they insisted on traditional methods, and the prices of Italian and Swiss mercenaries began to rise.

Neighboring countries with interests in Italy also noticed Florence’s movements.

And their choices were also divided into two.

The Holy Roman Empire and Spain were drawing very optimistic conclusions.

-The empire is far from Italy.

-Because of this, even if you wanted to project military power to Italy, it would be impossible to time it right.

-In that case, the only way the empire can choose is to deploy troops in advance. But this also takes a lot of time.

-As a result, we have enough time.

-In addition, the empire’s famous navy is blocked by Suez and cannot come to the Mediterranean.

-If necessary, the empire can be tied up simply by destroying the Suez railway.

-Lastly, it is famous that the empire’s navy is strong, but is the army really strong as well?

The Holy Roman Empire and Spain were drawing optimistic conclusions, believing in the natural barrier of Suez. However, it did not mean that I was completely idle.

They began allocating more and more budget to the development and purchase of new long guns and artillery using the silver manufacturing method stolen from France and England.

On the other hand, France was very nervous and moved quickly.

“You’ve seen how the Empire fights, right? If you underestimate it, you will be annihilated!”

“Since mass production of firearms has begun, we must also make usable long guns! Send spies to Florence! “We need to get the plans for the Florentine rifle!”

In response to this reaction from France, the ruling circles of the Holy Roman Empire and Spain also gradually began to become more serious.

“You crazy French belligerents!”

“Italian hillbillies are not the problem! “France is the problem!”

It was the Holy Roman Empire and Spain, which bordered France and had experience of armed conflict. In the end, they had no choice but to abandon their optimistic mood and participate in a full-scale arms race.

England was the country that took the lead in the arms race among mainland European countries.

“Cannon! Build more cannons! “Just make it and it will sell!”

The cannons made by England were renowned for their reasonable price and reasonable quality.

The reason why English cannons were famous for their cost-effectiveness was because most of the cannons they made were made of cast iron.

At that time, cannons were made of bronze. But bronze was an expensive item. That’s why the English made cannons out of cast iron.

Although there were many trials and errors in making cannons with cast iron, which can be said to be the worst material for making cannons, the English eventually created a decent cannon.

Although it had an extremely large and heavy body compared to its firepower, it was still cheaper than bronze cannons, so the Holy Roman Empire and Spain began purchasing English cannons in large quantities.

Meanwhile, England, which unexpectedly benefited from the arms race, did not rest on its laurels.

“They say the Empire makes cannons out of steel! “We too are made of steel!”

As a result, France, England’s enemy, could not remain silent.

“We too challenge the steel cannon!”

And the financial officials of the countries involved in this arms race shed tears of blood.

“The budget… the budget…”

* * *

As Italian cities and European powers were getting closer to the planned war, Florence was entering a full-fledged generational change.

Cosimo de’ Medici, whose family had grown in size several times compared to the history before the intervention of perfume, had died.

“A really fun time is just around the corner, but it’s a shame…”

After finishing his last words full of regret, Cosimo closed his eyes.

At the funeral held at the Basilica of San Lorenzo, the citizens of Florence flocked to mourn the giant’s departure.

The three ambassadors who attended on behalf of Emperor Wan had a small talk as they looked at the crowd of Florentine citizens.

“The response from citizens has been amazing.”

Seong Sam-moon nodded slightly in response to Shin Sook-ju’s words.

“Because he was a giant…”

Yu Eung-bu, who was nodding at Seong Sam-mun’s words, glanced at Lorenzo and Giovanni, who were sitting as representatives of the bereaved families, and continued speaking.

“Still, I’m glad that those who took over are useful.”

“That’s a good thing.”

“Now that I think about it, I heard that there is a promotion scheduled for this paper as well?”

In response to Seong Sam-moon’s words, Shin Sook-ju continued speaking with eyes full of complex emotions.

“I already had some expectations when the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Ministers stepped down…” As

Shin Sook-ju trailed off, Yoo Eung-bu opened her mouth.

“But didn’t you last five years longer than the 20 years you expected when you took the throne?”

At Yu Eung-bu’s words, Seong Sam-moon shook his head slightly and said.

“If Florence had not done its work here or had done its work two years late, the person who would have gone to Shinji after just 20 years would have been the Emperor. “I wonder if your Majesty’s Majesty is… Did he even hide a pot of honey in Shinji?” Seong

Sam-mun was the one who knew better than anyone else about the war of nerves that took place between King Sejong and Hyang and between Hyang and Wan over his reign.

Hearing Seong Sam-moon’s words, Shin Sook-ju also shook her head and muttered.

“The bill you made while preparing for the election is the ‘minimum period of office’…” * *

*

“Damn it! I survived 20 and 5 years! “I can’t live because I’m so unfair!”

While preparing for the position, Wan was filled with resentment.

“Sang Sang ran away to Shinji after just 10 years! Why me!”

As soon as Hyang completed his 10-year reign as emperor, he ascended to the throne of Wan and fled to Shinji without even looking back.

“your majesty! No, Abama! Not father! You’ve only been here for 10 years and you’re in good hands! “Isn’t that too much?”

“It’s okay because the foundation was well laid over the past 10 years.”

“Still, you’re a senior after only 10 years!”

Hyang’s expression became fierce at Wan’s words.

“barely?”

Hearing Hyang’s words, Wan immediately bowed his head.

“sorry! “I made a mistake!”

“Tsk!”

What Hyang has done in those 10 years is so much that it is hard to even say ‘barely’. That’s why Wan immediately bowed his head and apologized.

“Then I just have to complete 10 years, right?”

“No, you are 20 years.”

“Why!”

Hyang immediately responded to Wan’s protest.

“You didn’t clean up as a proxy. If you include the time I spent as a substitute cleaner, it’s 20 years. So 20 years. “This is Hwangmyeong.”

Wan gritted his teeth and responded to Hyang’s words.

“I understand. “I will complete 20 years.”

“Yes, I only trust you.”

Wan, who became emperor in this way, had to work hard and wait for the 20th anniversary.

And he faithfully applied what he had learned from Hyang, leaving only Area 51 and the research lab’s work to Hyeon.

“We need to block in advance the holes that can escape under the excuse of proxy cleaning! “I can’t be the only one defeated!”

Wan went one step further.

“Sang Sang said, ‘If you have learned something, you must know how to apply it.’ “Nothing like cancer!”

Wan, who had made up his mind, called together his ministers and discussed his thoughts.

“If you look at the current administration of the empire, the emperor directly governs all regions except Xinji, and Xinji is managed by delegation. This is due to the problem of distance and the enormity of Shinji.”

At Wan’s words, the ministers looked at Wan with eyes full of doubt.

‘Why are you mentioning this now?’

As if he knew what the ministers were thinking, Wan got straight to the point.

“At first, the circumstances set a limit of 20 years. But while working with Florence this time, this thought occurred to me. What will you do if something big happens at an awkward time like Florence? Therefore, I would like to determine the minimum and maximum period of the emperor’s reign. You have to stay in this position for a minimum of 20 years and a maximum of 25 years to be able to ascend to the throne. “Discuss this and make it a law.”

“I follow your orders.”

When he answered like that, the ministers muttered to themselves.

‘You’ve had a lot to accomplish.’

‘Your Majesty also said that I couldn’t die alone.’

Thus, the ‘Law on the Emperor’s Reign Period’ passed the review board and was officially enacted.