Black Corporation: Joseon

Chapter 898

Episode 898: The Imperial March (1)

Currently, Switzerland was waging a war of independence against the Holy Roman Empire, or to be more precise, the Habsburgs.

In particular, as emperors of the Holy Roman Empire continued to emerge from the Habsburg family, Switzerland’s autonomy was gradually diminished, and the war of independence became more intense.

In this situation, France intervened.

-Recognition of Swiss independence.

-Hiring 10,000 Swiss mercenaries.

Up to this point, conditions were very good for Switzerland. But the conditions that followed were the problem.

-Concluded an alliance with France.

-If there is a request from France, mercenaries are contracted on very ‘friendly’ terms.

Even though Switzerland was already waging a war of independence against the Habsburgs, if the above conditions were followed, Switzerland would become the real enemy of the Habsburgs.

Dealing with the Habsburgs with Switzerland’s meager national power was like ‘hitting a rock with an egg.’

Of course, in that case, our ally France would support us, but France’s intentions were very obvious.

-Use Switzerland to drain Habsburg power.

“It seems like their intentions are too obvious…”

“But if you think about the Habsburgs…”

While the leaders of the Swiss Confederation were gathering to consider France’s proposal, the Habsburgs also sent a messenger to Switzerland.

The proposal sent by the Habsburgs was summarized as follows.

-Guaranteeing expansion of autonomy for autonomous cantons belonging to the Swiss Confederation.

-Reduction of various taxes and reduction of tax rates imposed on the Swiss Confederation.

-All mercenary contracts give priority to the Habsburgs and the Holy Roman Empire.

-If necessary, the Habsburgs and the Holy Roman Empire can intervene in mercenary contracts between Switzerland and other countries.

The leaders of the Swiss Confederation put their hands on their foreheads at the Habsburg proposal, which seemed as clearly a carrot-and-stick proposition as France’s.

“If you think about it, they will immediately turn it into kindling…”

“They are oppressors, but they are also one of the biggest employers…”

This was the problem.

Although a war of independence was being waged against the Habsburgs and the Holy Roman Empire, it was not a full-scale war. Therefore, whenever the Holy Roman Empire went to war, a significant number of Swiss mercenaries were hired to participate in the war.

In other words, on one side, there was a dispute over independence, but on the other side, the long-standing and major player was the Habsburgs.

Of course, the Habsburgs were well aware of this situation.

-We have a bit of an advantage now, but there are limits as long as France exists.

-Therefore, alternative means are needed.

-The best alternative is a standing army, but cost is an issue. We need to raise another mercenary group.

In this way, France and Habsburg were wielding carrots and sticks over Switzerland.

And neither France nor Habsburg had any intention of giving up Switzerland.

This was because the road down to Italy was taken over by the other.

In order to take over Switzerland, both France and the Habsburgs made efforts to recruit influential figures in Switzerland while simultaneously showing off their military power.

Thanks to this, the atmosphere among Swiss people became increasingly hostile.

“Do we have no future?…”

While the Swiss were in mourning, the Empire intervened.

* * *

All news about the competition between France and the Habsburgs over Switzerland was sent to Seoul, regardless of whether it was rumor or fact.

“If you consider the time it takes to get to Seoul, analyzing it here is a waste of time! Filter it appropriately and send it to me!”

Embassy officials responded by following Shin Sook-ju’s orders, which were accompanied by practical difficulties and frustration.

Officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of National Defense had to go through a lot of trouble to analyze the documents sent to Seoul.

Hyeon received the report and thought about it before getting up from his seat.

“I have an idea, but I’m not sure what to do.”

As Hyeon left, saying something that was unclear whether he was talking to himself or asking people to listen, the ministers gathered around Han Myeong-hoe.

“What do you think Your Majesty is thinking?”

In response to the ministers’ questions, Han Myeong-hoe turned to Lim Sun-wook.

“I don’t think you’re thinking of mercenaries?”

“I think it’s a mercenary. But…”

Lim Soon-wook, who was speechless for a moment, sighed and looked back at the Minister of Finance and Economy.

“Be prepared because a lot of the Ministry of Finance and Economy’s treasury will be robbed.”

“Oh my…”

The Minister of Finance and Economy’s face became grim as Lim Soon-wook spoke.

* * *

The place Hyun headed to after leaving Geunjeongjeon was Suganggung Palace, where incense resides.

Hyang, who was looking at various drawings, hid all the drawings when he heard that Hyeon had arrived and stood up.

“You must be busy with government affairs, so why did you come?”

“I came to get advice from Taesang.”

“There are excellent people around, including the Prime Minister, so would advice from an old man in the back room be helpful?”

“If they object, we have to start with a fight, but if Tae Sang-tae objects, we know the reason and can naturally think again.”

Hyang nodded at Hyun’s words.

* * *

Unlike before, just before the war broke out, the current empire was in a situation where the emperor and his subjects coexisted peacefully. No, it was a situation where the emperor’s imperial authority was slightly superior to the divine authority of his subjects.

The main reason why this was possible was because King Sejong carried out a great purge just before the start of the Gyeongjang era, erasing the senior subjects of the theocratic faction, and eradicating the fundamentalist noblemen through the suppression of the Giyu Rebellion.

Afterwards, starting with King Sejong, most of the monarchs did not exercise power carelessly, and the subjects also knew the monarch’s will in advance and proposed reasonable alternatives to continue coexistence.

However, there was always the possibility of violent disagreements between the emperor and his subjects. In particular, the more unconventional the emperor’s thoughts were, the more likely it was that a conflict would occur.

Therefore, the existence of a situation or prenatal situation became more important. The situation or pre-existing situation was the best and most powerful mediator.

“If he said so…”

When the statement of the situation or the state of affairs was conveyed, both the emperor and his subjects said that and agreed.

Of course, for this to be possible, the situation or situation had to have a solid track record. And Sejong and Hyang had more than enough track records. And Wan, who succeeded him, also had a formidable track record.

In addition, the situations that followed in the future would also have significant results.

It was because of Shinji.

As long as the situation was in charge of the operation of the new site, there would be nothing to complain about in terms of performance.

* * *

“Good. “Then let’s hear what our emperor thinks.”

“yes.”

At Hyang’s words, Hyun began to line up what he was thinking.

Hyang listened to Hyeon’s words with a serious face.

“Hmm…”

Hyang, who had been stroking her chin and counting for a long time after Hyun finished speaking, came to a conclusion.

“I think it’s a good idea. But I’d like to flesh it out a little more…”

“… Is that possible? In that case….”

The two grandsons put their heads together and continued to make corrections and adjustments.

The officers and scribes who were recording all of this next to them looked bored and were typing away at their keyboards.

“How do you feel?”

“I think this will be okay. “I am so glad that Tae Sang-tae is with us.”

“That’s too much praise.”

“If you come across a drawing of an interesting object, be sure to show it to me. “You can’t watch it alone.”

“… Let’s try.”

After finishing the conversation, Hyun got up and left the room with a relieved look on his face.

Meanwhile, the officers who recorded this added:

-Is this possible? Just our empire?

The next day, Hyeon told Hyang and the plan he had made in front of the ministers.

As Hyun’s story continued, the ministers’ faces became more and more mesmerized.

Even the One Myeonghoe of the world could not close their gaping mouths, and the Minister of Finance and Economy had no color on his face. The Minister of Finance and Economy, whose face was as pale as a corpse, looked at Lim Soon-wook.

‘Did you expect this?’

Lim Soon-wook, who received the silent question, shook his head with a face as pale as the Minister of Finance and Economy.

“What do you think?”

“….”

When Hyeon finished speaking and asked for his opinion, no one could open his mouth.

Hyun quietly waited for the ministers’ answers. Finally, Han Myeong-hoe gathered all his strength and opened his mouth.

“… You can see it as a ploy, but if you look at it another way, you can say it is standard. “It is worth considering.”

Following Han Myeong-hoe’s words, Lim Sun-wook spoke.

“Please forgive my disloyalty for not being able to give you a straight answer simply because the policy your Majesty came up with goes far beyond the limits of a criminal like your convictions.”

“Even disloyalty… I just thought in a different direction. Jim knows very well that this is not an unusual ploy. So, think carefully and give me an answer by the day after tomorrow.”

“I follow your orders.”

And for two days, the ministers engaged in a war of words, forgetting about the night.

Two days later, Han Myeong-hoe, with a tired face, reported to Hyeon on behalf of the ministers.

“Looking at the current state of the empire, I think this is the best plan.”

“Then let’s proceed like this.”

* * *

A few months later, a special envoy from the empire arrived at the imperial embassy in Florence.

“Come quickly. “But has so many people suddenly come? Is there something urgent going on?”

The Minister of Finance and Economy, who headed the special envoy, answered Shin Sook-joo’s question right away.

“I came because of urgent matters to be done to win the upcoming war in Italy.”

“It’s something that needs to be taken care of urgently… Of course, Switzerland?”

“exactly. Please make room.”

After a while. A seat was quickly created in the embassy conference room.

With all the high-ranking officials staying in Italy gathered, starting with the three ambassadors, an official from the home country began his explanation.

“I will now explain the operation targeting Switzerland. First of all…”

The official turned the first page of the chart. The second page that appeared had only two letters written in large letters.

“Battle? Money fight?”

The official answered Seong Sam-moon’s question right away.

“Yes, this is the name of the operation for our empire’s first victory over Europe.”

“Hoo~.”

“Hmm…”

The three ambassadors responded with curiosity to the official’s answer. On the other hand, the Minister of Finance and Economy continued speaking with a tired face.

“Among us, we call it ‘money shit.’”

“huh?”

“What is that….”

“You will know when you listen.”

The three ambassadors and officials listened to the Minister of Finance and Economy’s words and listened to the subsequent report.

“… That is all.”

“….”

When the explanation was over, not only the three ambassadors but also the officials stationed in Florence had no one to speak.

“Huh…”

As time passed, Seong Sam-moon was the first to come to his senses and looked at the Minister of Finance and Economy.

“There is only one person who can make such a crazy…no, such a grand plan. “Are you in the prenatal situation?”

At Seong Sam-moon’s words, Shin Suk-ju, Yu Eung-bu and all other officials stationed in Florence nodded.

But the Minister of Finance and Economy shook his head.

“No, it’s your Majesty. “Tae Sang-tae only gave advice.”

“Oops! Cough! “Cough!”

Seong Sam-moon, who was momentarily out of breath, coughed and everyone around him muttered the same thing.

‘What on earth is that blood!’

Author’s words.

This is a map posted on Premium Shipbuilding in 2016. In the case of Florence, you can see that its power has grown further as it occupies a significant portion of the northern region of the Papal States.

2. Please be careful of colds during the change of seasons. Be careful of stress too.

Since the end of last year, I have been suffering from a cold, probably due to excessive stress due to various events happening at the same time.

It’s been over a week and it hasn’t gotten better.

I would really appreciate your generosity even if there are frequent delays in serialization.

I hope you have a good weekend.

Posted with soup.