Black Corporation: Joseon

Chapter 957

Episode 957: South, North, and Middle (4)

During the reign of the Hohenstauffen family, before the current monarchy, the Habsburg family, the country with the largest territory in Europe was the Holy Roman Empire. As the Habsburg family ascended to the throne, it decreased slightly, but it was still the country with the largest territory in Europe, competing with France for the lead. The problem was that there was no firm control over such a huge territory.

The empire’s great and small feudal lords tried to escape the empire whenever they had the opportunity. Even powerful dukes were plotting to push out the Habsburgs and ascend to the throne themselves. Therefore, the Habsburg emperor Frederick III and his successor, Maximilian I, who already held most of the real power, were unable to focus their energies on Venice and Italy.

-There is so much to protect, but I cannot protect everything with the power I have now.

-Then let’s throw away what we can throw away, but take as much as we can of what we can.

Because this decision was underlying, different results occurred when dealing with Hungary and Venice. Hungary, which threatened the very origin of the Habsburg family, fought against it with all its might, while Venice was only stationed there rather than participating in the war. In particular, after suffering crushing damage from the imperial navy in the Battle of Corsica, the country returned to a complete wait-and-see attitude.

And in the ensuing Battle of Vicenza, the Habsburgs, who once again confirmed that the combined power of the Empire-Italy was overwhelming them, simply withdrew. The reason was that there were many people within the empire that were of concern, but there was no need to waste energy on unnecessary things. It was for a similar reason that neither the Prefecture nor France and Spain criticized the Habsburgs’ actions excessively.

-If I were in that situation, I would make a similar decision.

Hyang added a word to it.

“At best, it’s best not to get involved in a situation where you can’t go anywhere.”

Therefore, the ‘Plack of Venice’ did not become a big public issue. From the point of view of the city and Lorenzo de’ Medici, it was something they had nothing to lose, and it was not considered a big problem by the French, Spanish or other Europeans. During this period, war and plunder were inseparable.

And there have already been clear cases. The ‘sack of Constantinople’ that took place during the Fourth Crusade was the precedent. Thanks to this, both the great powers and the empire achieved decent results in the Battle of Venice. Except for the Venetians, who are furious when their city is sacked. On the contrary, there were intellectuals who were cynical while looking at the Venetians who were going through this harshly.

“They are getting back what their ancestors did in the past. What!”

In the Fourth Crusade mentioned above, the Venetians were the ones who used the crusaders as mercenaries under the pretext of lack of money.

* * *

In any case, the ‘unification of Northern Italy’ has almost reached its completion stage, even in Venice. The remaining areas were the French-controlled Turin area and the Spanish-controlled Cuneo area.

“Wouldn’t it be better to start attacking right away?”

Lorenzo, who had become confident as they joined Venice, suggested an immediate attack, but Hyang shook his head.

“They said there was no fighting, but the losses were considerable. And the soldiers were exhausted, so I think it would be unreasonable to start immediately.”

“I’m exhausted, but my morale is high.”

“Taking a rest on the road is also a tactic of war. And aren’t both France and Spain on high alert now? It’s been a long time since they didn’t carelessly touch a poisonous snake.”

“But…”

“I think the priority is to refine the rough soldiers in Venice who joined us. We also need a process of coordinating the Venetians who have completed training with other soldiers so that they can work together properly. ”

“The Venetians are in the process of unifying the South…”

“If that happens, I don’t think Milan and Genoa will like it, let alone the residents of Florence, right? Some people are fighting and shedding blood, while others are just playing around in the background.”

Lorenzo had no choice but to step back at Hyang’s point.

“Oh, my thoughts were short.”

The scent that had withdrawn Lorenzo’s proposal muttered softly.

“The places where the mentality of ‘I’m the only one suffering and you’re having fun’ is maximized the most are battlefields and fireworks. But if you really pull back, then it’s going to be a real mess. Of course, I don’t mind if they grab each other by the collar and yell at each other later, but for now. No. And…”

Hyang paused for a moment and looked at the thick reports placed on one side of the desk. Hyang muttered softly as he looked at the reports that listed the dead and wounded of the Imperial soldiers who participated in this war and the various equipment that was lost.

“You can buy new equipment, but you can’t do that with people’s lives. You’ve already made good political gains. There should be less bloodshed now. It’s a European war, so it’s enough for the Europeans to be the ones to suffer.”

As Hyang said, the empire has already made significant gains. Regarding military power, it showed the real military power of the empire, which had been only rumored, and prevented Europeans from making bold moves, while at the same time expanding its sales channels to the Ottomans and small and medium-sized European countries. Politically, the first thing to do was to clearly establish control over the new land.

“Such a powerful fleet came from Shinji? That fleet is not the entire fleet stationed in Shinji… Shinji should not be messed with.”

“I want the unidentified area on the map I gave to Portugal.”

The European powers, who were greedy for the new land, wondering, ‘Isn’t it possible?’ instead of giving up the new land, they began to set their sights on the remaining land. Next was to strengthen the empire’s right to speak. From the meeting that took place just before the start of the war, the empire’s presence and voice clearly became stronger.

Among the European powers attending the conference, there was not a single country that ignored the existence and statements of the empire. In the end, Hyang decided that he had taken care of everything he needed to take care of, so he started to take care of himself.

* * *

As France, Spain, and the Empire and Italy alliance were slowly taking a breather and replenishing their stamina for the ‘last game to be held in Northern Italy,’ unwelcome guests from our headquarters arrived. A large number of high-ranking officials from the government and the Ministry of National Defense came, led by Han Myeong-hoe and Jang Hang-seon.

“I come to see His Majesty Taesangwang! Seeing that he is strong despite living in a rough place for a long time makes me just give thanks to the gods of heaven and earth.”

“I come to see His Majesty the Great Emperor!”

The officials from the headquarters, led by Han Myeong-hoe, all paid their respects to Hyang.

“Thank you for saying that. But….”

Hyang returned the smile and looked at Han Myeong-hoe and Jang Hang-seon and asked a question.

“But why did the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Wu come here? No, not just the two of them, but they brought a lot of their families as well?”

‘It’s definitely because of Corsica…’

I asked the question, but the scent already knew the answer to some extent. And the answer that came back was exactly what Hyang thought.

“The Navy suffered very heavy losses in this naval battle, so we are looking into this in detail to ensure that something like this never happens again.”

Han Myeong-hoe held out a golden envelope as soon as he answered. Hyang sighed after seeing the word ‘Myeong (?)’ written on the outside.

“Phew~. I understand. Good luck.”

“I am devastated. God has ordered me to stand by His Majesty Taesang’s side and assist His Majesty for the time being.”

“me?”

In response to Hyang’s question, Han Myeong-hoe glanced at Shin Suk-ju and Seong Sam-moon standing next to him and bowed his head.

“Yes. The emperor is very concerned.”

“… Please take care of me.”

Once the situation was resolved, Jang Hang-seon led the officials outside.

“Tell me these guys!”

Both Hyang and Han Myeong-hoe smiled bitterly at Jang Hang-seon’s swear words coming from outside the door. As soon as the people disappeared, Hyang wiped his smile and asked Han Myeong-hoe.

“What kind of trouble has happened here?”

“This place is in peace.”

“The Imperial Navy suffered great losses here, but not to the extent of affecting you. What kind of disaster is this?”

Han Myeong-hoe looked around as he heard the honest scent. After hearing the silent answer, Hyang ordered the people in the office.

“Everyone, except the prime minister, should go out. Everyone, both the officers and the governors.”

At the Hyang’s command, everyone, starting with Shin Suk-ju and Seong Sam-moon, left. I asked again about the scent of the only man present.

“What happened?”

“Your Majesty the Crown Prince, there has been a problem with the installation of the Crown Prince.”

“At the crown prince’s investiture? Is there a problem with Yu’s health?”

“Oh no.”

“But why?”

In response to Hyang’s question, Han Myeong-hoe took out a red envelope from her pocket.

“I am a private envoy sent by the emperor and the Emperor.”

Hyang received the envelope from Han Myeong-hoe, took out the letter, and quickly read the contents of the letter. As the contents of the letter were read, Hyang’s face changed more and more strangely. After finally reading the letter, Hyang placed her hand on her forehead and sighed and cursed.

“Haa~. Shit!”

The summary of the contents of the letter was simple.

-Wu, the eldest son of the Hyeon, is holding out and saying he will not become crown prince!

* * *

As Joseon became an empire, there were changes in the installation of the crown prince. Unlike Hyang, who was installed as a crown prince at the age of 8, in the empire, when a person reached the age of 12 to 14, which was the age at which he finished attending the Social Democratic School, the crown prince’s installation and wedding ceremony took place at the same time as he was certified as an adult. This too was not a matter of custom, but rather a procedure established by law.

After the installation of the crown prince, the crown prince and his wife were chosen according to the law, and the national marriage took place. The reason why this order was established was because the imperial law prohibited concubines and bigamies. The only exceptions were the emperor and crown prince, so that the line of imperial descendants would not be cut off. Therefore, the installation of crown prince was the beginning and peak of preparing for future generations.

“…But you don’t like the position of crown prince?”

“That’s right!”

Hyun sighed softly at Woo’s answer, the eldest son, and then asked a question.

“why?”

Wu immediately answered Hyeon’s question.

“It’s because when I become the crown prince, I have to take responsibility for Area 51 and the research institute! I want to study the rhythm of small sounds!”

“huh?”

Wu’s answer reminded Hyeon of something the Empress had said not long ago.

-Your Majesty, they say that these days, Ua hangs out with Yungi every day.

‘If it was Jung… he was the son of Count Jinpyeong, right?’

In the history before Count Jinpyeong-hyang intervened, Yeonsangun, the son of King Seongjong, was famous for his deep knowledge of music even at a young age. However, as much as his expertise, he was notorious for scandals involving women.

“It is custom and law that the emperor’s eldest son must become the crown prince, and the crown prince is responsible for managing the research institute and Area 51.”

“That’s why Soja should not become the crown prince!”

Hyun screamed at Woo’s firm answer.

“Hey! You bastard!”

“Oh, I’m not doing it!”

As the father and son were drawing parallel lines, Woo’s brothers and sisters were on one side watching the war of words. What was interesting was their facial expressions. The half-brothers were full of worry, and the half-brothers had excited faces.