Black Corporation: Joseon

Chapter 948

Episode 948: Battle of Corsica. (4)

Things seemed to be going smoothly as the plan proposed by the Venetian naval admiral was passed.

But ‘time’ was the problem.

“It takes a lot of time to maintain the fleet’s battleships.”

The other naval admirals all nodded at the French naval admiral’s words.

Each time they set sail and returned, battleships had to undergo maintenance. The same was true for the battleships staying in port. We had to

look at the condition of the wood that made up the hull, find the wood that needed replacement, and replace it.

It wasn’t just wood.

I had to check the condition of the artillery and gunpowder and change everything that needed to be changed.

This was all time consuming.

Both ship lumber and gunpowder required careful storage and were expensive.

As a result, these materials, especially gunpowder, were always in short supply.

In other words, it would take a considerable amount of time to supply the necessary amount of gunpowder to the ships that would be used in this operation.

“If you think about gunpowder, I can’t be that envious of the Imperial Navy.”

The other admirals all nodded at the French Navy admiral’s words.

* * *

The method of obtaining saltpeter, the most necessary and important material for making gunpowder, was similar in both the East and the West.

Because of this, Europe also had to go through a difficult time finding saltpeter. This was also the case in Joseon. No, Joseon was at the level of neurosis.

Joseon was able to escape from this neurosis only when it was able to freely obtain saltpeter from India through the intervention of Hyang.

Of course, it cost a lot of money, but compared to the times when I couldn’t get it even if I had money, it couldn’t have been better.

And by breaking free from the shackles of this cornerstone, Joseon was able to become an empire.

Later, as the road to India was opened through Suez, Europe also became aware of the foundation of the Bengal Sultanate.

However, unlike history before the intervention of incense, Europe could only obtain saltpeter by paying the right price.

This was also a big problem for Europe, which had less economic power than the East.

“Of course, compared to before, it is now easier to obtain it in large quantities, but it is still expensive.”

In the end, Europe had to suffer from a chronic gunpowder inventory shortage.

On the other hand, the empire that discovered the cornerstone of India as well as guano mines in Sinji was able to maintain an army more familiar with gunpowder weapons than anyone else.

* * *

No sooner had the French admiral finished complaining than the Spanish admiral continued his complaint.

“The time it takes to maintain the fleet is a problem, but the imperial fleet coming from the west is also a problem.”

The imperial fleet stationed in Shinji regularly sent supply fleets.

And this part delayed the start of the operation once again.

There was a subtle overlap between the expected completion of fleet maintenance and the arrival of the Empire’s supply fleet in Italy.

The imperial fleet currently stationed in Italy was a very difficult situation. But additionally, fighting at the point where the battleships are staying?

It was crazy.

In the end, it was two and a half months later that the combined fleet of France, Spain, and Venice began operations.

“The question is whether we can keep the soldiers on edge until then. “I’m sure as the tension eases, there will be people who talk carelessly.”

Although not as strict as the imperial army that was disciplined by the intervention of the Hyang, European soldiers were also well aware of the military discipline of confidentiality. However, the problem was that it was not observed well.

Especially in the case of the army, where mercenaries were the main force, military discipline was almost ineffective.

This was because it was not uncommon for mercenaries who wanted to make more money more comfortably, more safely, and to communicate with mercenaries belonging to the enemy army – a type of match-fixing.

Fortunately, in the case of the Navy, thanks to the sailors’ strong work ethic, it did not reach that level, but it was still very lax.

It was because of his drinking and bravado.

“Whoa~.”

The French naval admiral let out a long sigh and shook his head.

“Isn’t the biggest problem that our enemies are not limited to Livorno?”

At those words, the French and Spanish naval admirals present nodded their heads loudly.

“The strongest enemy is behind us.”

The ‘powerful enemies in the rear’ they spoke of were their king and the nobles of the court.

-The Army is struggling and shedding blood in Italy, so what is the Navy doing?

-What are those battleships that the Navy boasts about? Is this something that admirals use when boating?

These criticisms were heard every day in the royal palace and in the banquet halls of nobles.

Among the admirals who were tired of these criticisms, some suggested taking action immediately, but soon withdrew their opinions.

This was because it was a sure defeat for what was happening now. Then, it was obvious that he would receive even greater criticism.

“I can’t help it. For now, I can only endure it….”

* * *

Two and a half months later, Portugal.

There was a heavy atmosphere in the Portuguese naval headquarters located in Lisbon.

“Why are the Spanish doing this?”

Not long ago, or to be more precise, after the Imperial Navy’s supply fleet passed through the Strait of Gibraltar and disappeared westward.

A large Spanish fleet began stationing at Cádiz, and its number continued to increase.

Cádiz was not alone. The Spanish fleet stationed in Algeciras, located across from Ceuta, was also growing in size.

Because of this, the Portuguese navy was very nervous.

The main fleet of the Portuguese Navy was currently stationed in Lisbon and Ceuta.

Lisbon was in charge of defending the French side, and Ceuta was in charge of the Strait of Gibraltar and North Africa.

The problem was that Spain stationed large fleets in Algeciras and Cadiz at the same time.

If it weren’t for Algeciras, all you had to do was monitor Cadiz from Ceuta. However, as the size of the Spanish naval fleet in Algeciras grew, the Portuguese navy in Ceuta could not pay attention to Cadiz.

“If this happens, the fleet in Lisbon will have to worry about Cadiz…”

“If that happens, France is in trouble.”

The Portuguese naval commander and staff were troubled by the lack of answers.

* * *

Portugal declared an alliance with the empire and war broke out, but it was still in a desperate situation with France.

This was because the French naval fleet did not enter the coastal waters of Portugal, especially Lisbon, or attack Portuguese warships.

Thanks to this, the Portuguese navy also responded politely and peacefully to the French navy.

Whenever the French naval fleet approached to pass through the Strait of Gibraltar, Portugal sent out a fleet to block the passage and sent messengers.

-This sea route is blocked, so please go back.

The Portuguese Navy was evaluated as ‘I don’t know the army, but I recognize the navy.’ This warning worked well.

Of course, the Spanish Navy’s response was different.

Whether it was Spain or Portugal, it was common practice for them to fire their cannons without question as long as they were within range of each other’s cannons.

* * *

“It is an unchanging fact that Portugal, while joining hands with the empire, is in a hostile relationship with France. No matter how friendly France appears, we must not forget this. Hmm….”

While the Portuguese Naval Command in Lisbon was struggling to find an answer, a scout ship that had gone out for reconnaissance in the direction of Nantes returned to Lisbon in a hurry.

“It’s urgent! The French Navy’s great fleet has appeared!”

“Great fleet? “The scale!”

The scout ship captain answered the commander’s question with a white face.

“About 80 ships! Among them, there are about 60 three-masted warships!”

“Emergency call!”

“yep!”

After a while, Lisbon’s military port began to become noisy.

Ignoring the commotion coming from outside, the commander and staff frantically analyzed the situation.

“With three masts, these are the newly adopted battleships from France these days, right?”

“That’s right. According to what is known, about 40 cannons are mounted on the second-floor gun deck.”

“Sixty ships is almost all of the French Navy.”

“Hmm…”

The commander, who was looking at the map while listening to the staff’s explanation, made a decision.

“I guess I should report this to His Majesty. “It’s war.”

The staff responded to the commander’s decision with somber faces.

“yep. “I will gather the captains.”

“I will devise the best strategy.”

“I will only trust you. “I will go to the palace and come back.”

The commander, who was sitting alone in the carriage heading to the royal palace and looking out the window, smiled bitterly and muttered softly.

“You really bought an expensive map…”

* * *

While the Commander-in-Chief of the Portuguese Navy was reporting a report on the French Navy to King Joao II, his staff desperately brainstormed a plan.

“Even if we say it is desperate… it is at the level of basic tactics…”

The strategy set up by the staff was simple.

-The entire fleet stationed in Lisbon is dispatched, leaving only the minimum strength for the defense of Lisbon.

-The fleet is ambushed between Sagres and Lagos.

-The moment the French fleet bypasses Cape Sagres, the ‘end of Europe’, the fleet sorties and blocks the French fleet.

-If the French fleet attempts to break through the blockade, force will be used immediately.

While the appropriate disposition of the fleet for this purpose was being discussed, another dispatch arrived in Lisbon.

-Spanish fleet sails from Cadiz!

-The course is west!

“Is this a concerted attack?”

“It’s a concerted attack!”

The staff members, who judged that France and Spain were planning a joint attack against Portugal, turned white.

“We have to reorganize the entire strategy from scratch!”

* * *

“It’s a joint attack…”

The commander nodded after receiving the staff’s report.

“There is a possibility. So what’s the plan?”

“All battleships of the fleet stationed in Lisbon will do their best to defend Lisbon.”

“It’s simple and clear. But aren’t we so weak that there’s nothing we can do?”

“The problem is that half the power is in Ceuta.”

“Still, I don’t like it. How is being locked up like this any different from a prisoner? “What sin have we committed?”

“But it is impossible to deal with the French and Spanish pincer attack with the Lisbon fleet alone.”

“I don’t like it…”

The commander, who was looking at the map with an expression of disapproval, suddenly had a thought cross his mind.

“wait? Just hold still…”

“Yes?”

“Who is the biggest enemy of France and Spain now? Are we Portugal or an empire?”

“It’s an empire?”

“But we are losing precious military power just to deal with Portugal? “Do you think it’s stupid?”

“If you overpower us, you can stop Gibraltar.”

“You want to block Gibraltar against the Imperial fleet? joy!”

The commander snorted lightly and continued.

“And even if Gibraltar is blocked, as long as Suez and Livorno remain intact… hold on! Is this it!”

After saying those words, the commander closed his mouth and glared at the map. Like a stone statue, a mysterious smile began to appear on the commander’s face after he had been silent for a long time.