Black Corporation: Joseon

Chapter 889

Episode 889 Prologue (4)

In Italy, the arms race between Florence and its rivals, as well as the European powers that played a role as its backbencher, led to a chain reaction.

England was the first to react.

As France, its most powerful enemy, grew both in size and quality of its army, England also entered the arms race.

Almost simultaneously with England, Portugal also entered the arms race.

It was because of Spain, which borders us. In particular, Portugal could not be left out of the arms race as there was a conflict with Spain during the founding process and the two countries still had bitter resentment.

Another power that entered the arms race was the Ottoman Empire.

There was a natural barrier called the Mediterranean Sea, but the ship-building technology that had developed so far has destroyed this barrier.

In addition, the ‘goose that laid the golden egg’ called Suez had to be kept safe.

‘Even though we are friendly with Europe, we do not trust them.’

This was Mehmet II’s diplomatic policy.

The problem was the economic burden brought about by this arms race.

Suddenly, the main role in the war changed from knights and cavalry, swords and spears, to guns and cannons.

When swords and spears became worn out, they could be melted down and remade, but for guns and cannons, that was difficult.

To be precise, it was possible to melt it, but making it, especially making a cannon, was impossible at the level of a local blacksmith shop.

Naturally, high-quality craftsmen and manufacturing facilities, iron and steel smelting facilities were needed.

This was something that cost a lot of money.

But the most troublesome thing was gunpowder.

Gunpowder was a product that could only be used once. Black gunpowder was a very unstable product. Therefore, gunpowder was an item that could never be driven into and stored after building a warehouse.

In other words, it meant that a lot of buildings were needed that paid attention to humidity and temperature control, and that this also cost a lot of money.

And in this arms race, it was the gunsmiths and gunpowder makers who both benefited and lost the most.

* * *

In history before the intervention of incense, it was the Hungarian Urban who created the famous Ottoman ‘Urban cannon’.

Even after the intervention of Hyang, many gunsmiths and gunpowder craftsmen remained freelancers. They wandered around looking for countries that offered better wages and support benefits.

Those who demonstrated this most clearly were cannon craftsmen. They not only made cannons, but they also operated them. They entered the war as mercenaries with cannons they had made.

* * *

The countries participating in the arms race scouted out capable gunsmiths and gunpowder makers.

-More pay.

– Spacious mansion and servant maids.

-Providing facilities that enable stable research and production.

-Grant of title, although it is a knight rank.

In addition, by offering various conditions, they obtained competent gunsmiths and gunpowder craftsmen.

The families of the artisans were satisfied with the luxury they had never enjoyed before, and the artisans looked proud.

However, as time passed, artisans came to realize that all the benefits provided to them were ‘sweet poison.’

Artisans were now part of the state that employed them and could not escape them. If you tried to escape from the past, you would be punished for treason.

Of course, I was giving up all the benefits I had received so far.

In addition, he was forced to raise his students and share his unique skills.

Lastly, we had to produce results that would satisfy employers.

The most stark example was the French craftsmen.

“You managed to make an Arquebus, but you made a military rifle and released it!”

“Make a cannon out of steel? Cannons are made of bronze! “If you make it out of iron, you will have to be able to drag it like an elephant!”

The craftsmen protested against the extremely high demands, but French politicians, starting with Louis XI, responded with a cold face.

“You’re making ‘Land of Flowers,’ right? make.”

“If you quit, it’s treason.”

* * *

As the arms race, which could almost be called a frenzy, continued, the countries participating in the competition risked their lives to secure the necessary budget.

Fortunately, France, Ottoman Portugal, and Florence, which have shares in Suez, were able to ease the burden.

This was because the dividends from Suez belonged solely to the monarch.

However, Spain and England, the Holy Roman Empire, did not do this.

The burden was considerable for England, which had not yet merged Scotland and Ireland and was not yet experiencing the shadow of the Industrial Revolution.

However, England continued to expand its military.

Unlike the history before the intervention of Fragrance, Edward IV, who was influenced by Fragrance, was able to properly seize power, and this was thanks to the cooperation of nobles who were wary of France’s military expansion.

The Holy Roman Empire was walking a more difficult path than England.

This was due to the incompetence of Frederick III, who ascended to the throne after his predecessor Sigismund, and the chaotic political situation within the empire.

Although it had the title of ’empire’, it was internally divided into many princely states and principalities. Even in Austria, which could be considered its home base, there were frequent rebellions by nobles.

Although it was a series of vicious struggles due to his own incompetence and external adverse factors, Frederick III had no choice but to enter the arms race.

-Now that Constantinople has fallen, I am the only one who can stop the pagans!

It was because I was properly aware of reality.

Frederick III tried desperately to improve the worst situation.

As soon as his younger brother and most powerful rival, King Albrecht VI, died, he immediately absorbed Albrecht VI’s territory, thereby reducing the financial burden. And he used methods such as appeasement, threats, and assassination from the Austrian nobles to obtain their cooperation.

– Friedrich has changed!

Rumors circulated around the world about Frederick III’s actions, but this was only half correct.

His son, Maximilian I, who had just entered his twenties, moved in hiding in the shadow of Frederick III.

Compared to the bad struggles experienced by England and the Holy Roman Empire, Spain was in a slightly better situation.

This was because the African colonies secured while competing with Portugal served as an excellent source of funds, and the commercial power of Aragon, which was one of the pillars of the united kingdom, was still holding on.

This was thanks to the fact that they made a decent profit by supplying weapons to Genoa, which wanted to become a main character in the Italian unification movement.

Even so, it was a slightly better situation, but not a good one.

For this reason, Spain set its sights on Suez.

“If only I could get Suez…”

This was the same for latecomers England and the Holy Roman Empire.

In the end, they needed war, or victory, to secure stable financial resources.

* * *

The arms race between the European powers had already been going on for over 10 years, and the military power of the powers was almost reaching saturation point.

European intellectuals who saw this situation became worried.

“If this continues, it will spontaneously combust sooner or later!”

“The whole of Europe will be on the phone!”

However, there were no people who easily argued for ‘disarmament’.

This was because their compatriots, the Europeans, did not want it.

The shocking existence of an empire encountered at the point of escaping from the stagnation of the Middle Ages made Europeans yearn for change. And in the process of change, countless ambitious people appeared and disappeared.

“The me of yesterday and the me of tomorrow will be different!”

The sons of Pungwoon, who had ambitions of achieving success and achieving good fortune, without hesitation boarded ships and went on expeditions or joined the military and waited for war.

‘Disarmament’ or ‘peace’ in a situation full of Europeans who want chaos. Even when I shouted for ‘stability’, it was a mai-dong wind (????).

From the king’s office above to the ignorant farmers in the remote countryside below, when the storm of war was predicted, those who further fueled the chaos appeared.

It was the emergence of doomsday theorists.

In city markets and rural marketplaces, doomsayers stood on wooden boxes and raised their voices.

“Listen! Listen! The end is near! Soon the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse will appear and lead this world to the end! Lift up your eyes and look around! “The signs are already overflowing!”

Doomsday theorists raised their voices and shouted that the end time had come.

Their argument was as follows.

-Think of the Mongol invasion and the Black Death that followed!

The first seal has already been broken and the White Knight has already appeared!

-Now the second seal will be broken and the Red Knight will appear!

No, the second seal has already been broken!

Look at that mighty army! That’s the proof!

We all know that a big war will break out in Italy sooner or later!

-Where are the seven hills on which the great prostitute of the Apocalypse sits? It’s Rome! This is Rome, Italy!

-The war that took place in Italy is the beginning of Armageddon!

The doomsday theorists, who listed the evidence indicating that the end times had come, shouted at the people.

“Put all your family assets in order and follow me right now! I will provide you with shelter!”

“Not long ago, Christ appeared to me in a dream and revealed this secret to me and told me to prepare a refuge and lead the lambs! “Put your assets in order and follow me!”

“Just as God told Noah to build an ark, he commanded me to build a place of rest! Follow me!”

All over Europe, doomsday theorists said this and insisted that people liquidate their family fortunes and follow him.

What was interesting was when different doomsayers encountered each other.

“They are false prophets! Heresy! “They are the ones who have been taken over by the devil!”

They accused each other of being ‘false prophets and heretics who have fallen for the devil’ and caused bloody clashes with their followers.

As these doomsday theorists began to rampage, monarchs and churches in each country began to crack down on them.

If caught, they received all kinds of severe punishment, including hanging, but doomsdayists continued their activities even more secretly.

This movement became even more noticeable in Italy, which would become the battlefield. Despite the strong crackdown by the soldiers and priests in charge of the city’s security, there were more than a few people openly shouting for the end in the square.

“Hehe… There are cults running around right in front of the Vatican…”

Shin Sook-ju responded to Seong Sam-moon’s words with a look of understanding.

“It must be that uneasy.”

Following Shin Sook-ju’s words, Yu Eung-bu also opened his mouth.

“It is said that the number of people who would rather see war break out than continue to feel anxious like this has increased.”

“Wow… phew~.”

Seong Sam-moon sighed in sorrow and soon returned to reality.

“War could break out even tomorrow. “Shouldn’t we evacuate our people who are currently staying in Italy?”

Shin Sook-ju shook her head at Seong Sam-moon’s words.

“We should never take the first step. All eyes in Europe are on us now. If we evacuate our people, they will think it is the beginning of a war. To borrow a European expression, we are blowing the trumpet of war. “We are not ready yet.”