Black Corporation: Joseon

Chapter 954

Episode 954: South, North, and the Middle (1)

The naval battle that took place in the Ligurian Sea between Corsica and Genoa was a fierce battle. If the Portuguese Navy had not participated in the second half of the war, the French Navy and the Imperial Navy would have faced mutual destruction.

“No. The assault return ship must have survived.”

While checking the report, I tried to imagine what would have happened if the Portuguese Navy had not participated in the war. More than two-thirds of the French Navy’s newest large battleships were sunk, and the Imperial Navy’s escort fleet was annihilated. And the only surviving assault ship would have been slaughtering the remaining French fleet like crazy. However, since a single assault return ship could not sink the entire French fleet, the number of surviving French ships would have increased further.

“If that were the case, it would have been even more of a pain… whew.”

I exhaled a long breath and the scent whetted my appetite.

“Tsk! I guess I’ll have no choice but to accept Portugal’s condescension.”

‘We could have won even without the help of the Portuguese Navy!’

After the battle, a significant number of Imperial Navy captains and most sailors claimed the above.

“How condescending to someone who just stepped in at the last minute and spoon-fed him!”

This was because the Portuguese navy that entered Livorno and Genoa after the battle was irritating to the eyes. However, high-ranking commanders, including Hyang, acknowledged the merits of the Portuguese Navy.

“It’s a bit annoying that Portugal is being condescending, but I have to admit it. And the naval battle doesn’t end with this one time.”

At Hyang’s words, the eyes of the high-ranking Imperial Navy commanders attending the meeting all focused on one place on the map.

-Al Heciras.

It was a Spanish military port located in a place called ‘Gibraltar’, connected to nearby areas in history before the intervention of the Fragrance. Among the goals the empire was aiming for in this war, it was a goal that had a reality that could be seen with the naked eye.

“Portugal is well aware of the importance of Al Geciras, and since Ceuta is right across the street, they will do their best for their own safety and interests.”

The imperial navy commanders all nodded at Hyang’s words. While the future naval operations were being discussed, a report came from Corsica.

– Mobilizing French Navy divers to search for sunken friendly ships.

* * *

The area where the French-Spanish combined fleet and the Empire-Florence combined fleet faced each other was the Ligurian Sea, north of Corsica. During the fierce battle, most of the Florence Navy’s battleships and eight frigates of the Imperial Navy’s escort fleet were sunk. Of the eight frigates that sank, three sank close to the northern coast of Corsica.

The French Navy, which had taken refuge in Calvi, did not miss this. This was because all the battleships that participated in the naval battle and survived were stuck in port due to maintenance problems. This was the same for the French Navy. However, thanks to the empty sea, the French Navy used a speed ship to send communication to the home country.

-Severe damage to our fleet.

In addition to sending battle-related reports, we also sent requests for support. It was a request for support for various supplies and manpower, but there was also one unusual request.

-A significant number of sailors or fishermen skilled in diving are needed.

Soon after the divers arrived, the French Navy used small ships and land routes to go to the place where the Imperial Navy frigates sank. The French Navy mobilized divers to search for the sunken imperial frigate. In a search that continued while avoiding the occasional patrol boats of the Portuguese and Imperial Navy, the French Navy finally obtained what they wanted.

These were boxcars, Imperial Navy naval guns, and incendiary bombs and fuses for naval guns. Items salvaged from the sunken frigate were sent to Calvi by land and then to France via speedboat. The French naval commanders who carried out this salvage war also had ulterior motives.

-Relieve as much of the responsibility for defeat as possible by obtaining and sending the empire’s advanced firearms.

Imperial Weapons To be precise, the weapons used only by the imperial army were famous for their performance far superior to that of other countries’ weapons. In particular, the performance of freight cars and cannons was well-known for being completely different. Because of this, European countries were just waiting for an opportunity to get their hands on it. That is why the French naval commanders who were hiding in Calvi tried to use this to exchange merit and crime.

* * *

The Imperial Navy commanders and Hyang, who confirmed the report, all had the same thought.

“Now it looks like the Europeans will have enough freight cars and artillery.”

“The wardens are incompetent and have caused great trouble. Please forgive their sins.”

When the commanders asked for forgiveness, Hyang responded with an expression that it was no big deal.

“On the battlefield, looting and suffering are routine. Regardless of whether you win or lose. In any case, leaks were something that was planned from the time the empire decided to participate in the war. So, it is not the generals’ fault. I will not hold them accountable.”

“Hwang Eun is devastated.”

The commanders all expressed their gratitude at Hyang’s words that they would not hold him accountable. Hyang muttered to himself as he looked at the faces of the naval commanders whose color had returned.

‘It’s one thing to figure out how it works, but quite another to make it the same. If it were easy, China would have overtaken Cheon Jo Guk in the first place. And…’

Hyang turned his head and looked at a corner. Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo were sitting there sketching diligently. Hyang smiled at the sight of Da Vinci and Michelangelo working hard to sketch the scent in paintings and sculptures.

‘Even if the French chase you, you can just stay one step ahead. I just happened to have a good talent available to replace me.’

* * *

The victory in the ‘Battle of Corsica’ was brought about by the empire. However, the local and naval commanders considered this a ‘victory that only hurt’, and later critics among historians defined this victory as ‘Pyrrhic victory.’

Although it dealt a fatal blow to the French and Spanish navies, the imperial navy also suffered significant damage. Immediately, the Florentine navy was almost completely annihilated and the imperial escort fleet suffered severe losses. All challenger-class battle lines of the imperial fleet from New Territories were thrown into the shipyards.

Upon receiving the results, the Imperial Navy immediately sent an urgent report to Suez, and the Imperial Navy in Suez and the Indian Ocean immediately mobilized personnel and sent them to Suez. Additionally, new frigates launched from Prince Henry Port and Shipyard headed straight across the Mediterranean to Italy.

France, Spain, Venice and Habsburg also moved to rebuild their severely damaged navies. Thanks to this, the Mediterranean Sea became Muju-gongsan. No, there were Ottomans and pirates, but even they could not move easily. As pirates hired as mercenaries were wiped out, there was a shortage of manpower.

As the pirates suffered from a manpower shortage due to the loss of a large number of skilled personnel, the Ottoman Empire, which employed them as a navy, also suffered from a shortage of talent. Accordingly, the Ottoman Empire also began to focus its efforts on training a regular navy, but it was time consuming. The Mediterranean became quiet as all the countries and groups involved took a breather.

* * *

As the Mediterranean Sea became quiet, the land of Aeje began to gradually become noisy. This was because the training of the soldiers who volunteered in Milan and Genoa had been completed, and the formation of units had also been completed. In order to prevent popular sentiment, commanders from Genoa and Milan were assigned to units of soldiers from Genoa and Milan. However, because there were not many who passed the imperial standards, some units were staffed with commanders and executives from Florence.

There was little discord between the Florentine executives and the soldiers from other countries, but the local and imperial forces quickly controlled it.

“It’s not something I’ve experienced once or twice…”

From a distance, it was a conflict between the Koreans and the Jurchen people, and as close as a conflict between the natives of Shinji and the local residents. The imperial army was adept at calming down this type of discord. The method chosen by the township and the imperial army was simple.

-Strict personal punishment.

By resolutely adhering to this principle, the Imperial Army created the ‘(tentative name) Italian Army’. With the rapid completion of military deployment, the Imperial Army and the Florence and Italian Allied Army headquarters settled the situation.

-France has finished reorganizing, but Turin is just watching.

-The Spanish army, which had retreated to Alba, continued to try to recover, but was blocked by Genoa and was in a sluggish situation. However, recently, as the Imperial Navy and the Florentine Navy began maintenance, supply began again.

-Venice, whose navy, the core of its power, has collapsed, is urgently strengthening its army, but it is not an easy situation. The reason is Habsrubk.

-Similarly, the Habsburgs, who suffered fatal losses in their naval power, are urgently reorganizing their forces. They are hiring mercenaries from nearby Croatia, Slovenia, Bavaria, and Swabia.

-Croatia and Slovenia mainly have navies. Bavaria and Swabia regions focus on hiring the army.

The commanders of the Union Army who had sorted out the situation were deep in thought.

“Let’s leave France and Spain behind and sort out Venice first.”

“You could get hit in the back of the head.”

As the war of words over similar content continued for a long time, the scent eventually came out.

“I think it would be better for France and Spain to respond by building a defensive line centered on the Po River. Isn’t Venice the most important thing now? If we think about the cause of unification, I think we should take control of Venice first. Only then can we protect the cause and prevent foreign powers. “You can reduce it by at least one.”

The commanders all nodded at Hyang’s words. The Habsburgs were idle until the Battle of Corsica. We are moving actively now, but it was too late. In that case, the right answer was to push the Habsburgs out before they were properly prepared.

In this way, the point of the combined imperial-Italian army was turned towards Venice.

* * *

Once the goal was decided, the Allied Army Command convened commanders and held a meeting.

“…So the first place we’ll head to is Venice.”

As soon as the interpreter could translate Lee Si-ae’s words, the commanders of the Genoese unit came forward.

“Our unit will take the lead!”

Lee Si-ae, who was looking at the faces of the commanders who claimed to be the vanguard, slightly tilted her head.

‘They say they are from Genoa, but they are from Florence? Oh, of course, the soldiers in the unit are from Genoa, but….’

Lee Si-ae, who thought for a moment to answer the question, soon came to a conclusion.

‘Considering the bad relationship between Genoa and Venice, it was inevitable. If I backed off, my bed would be disturbed…’

In the end, Lee Si-ae accepted their request.

‘It’s the same for me, and it’s okay for my sleep to be disturbed.’

That night, after finishing the unit deployment, Lee Si-ae emptied her drink and complained.

“From troop deployment to politics… Isn’t this originally the Marshal’s responsibility? Why should I do this…”

And the Marshal’s support department in question was currently struggling among politicians in Florence, Milan, and Genoa. It was because of the scent.

“I think it’s too much for Jim to step forward and deal with them as well. Isn’t it a matter of rank?”

It wasn’t wrong, because Yu Eung-bu was suffering from body aches instead of Hyang.